A BAR in Bolton town centre was broken into at the weekend - with several hundred pounds and alcohol taken.

Hogarths, in Churchgate, was broken into in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Paul Barlow, landlord and co-manager of Hogarths, said: "They forced their way through the back door. It looked as though they used a brick or a hammer, or sort of object.

"They smashed one of the gaming machines and took money from it.

"One of them was caught and the police managed to recover most of what was stolen from behind the bar."

In a statement, a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: "We were called at 5.20am on Sunday, September 12, to a report of two men breaking into a pub on Churchgate, Bolton.

"Officers attended and a man in his 50s was detained nearby a short time later.

"Around £500 worth of cash and alcohol was stolen and investigation is ongoing."

The spokesman said that a man and a woman, both in their 30s, were arrested later that day.

All three still remain in custody for questioning.

The police spokesman added: "Anyone with information should contact police online, if able, or call 101 quoting incident 743 of September 12.

"Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

The break-in comes just days after Ye Old Pastie Shoppe, also in Churchgate, was ‘ransacked’ by intruders.

Owner Marie Walsh, 83, said her CCTV system showed a man who is hooded going through the property at around 11pm last Wednesday.

Marie believes the burglar entered the shop by smashing the back window and breaking a glass door on their way in.