A PROBE into a pub accused of serving customers during the lockdown has been closed with no further action set to be taken.

Police were called to The Shakespeare in Farnworth at 8.40pm on Wednesday, March 25 after reports were made that it was "continuing to trade".

And the following day, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Chief Constable Ian Hopkins revealed on BBC Radio Manchester that the Glynne Street pub had been accused of "letting members of the public in through the back door".

But owners Hawthorn Leisure, said there was "absolutely no truth" that it was still operating, and the manager and her husband were self-isolating due to pre-existing health concerns.

Its only visitors were Tung Sing restaurant staff who dropped off surplus vegetables and potatoes, which the manager was cutting up for a care home, a painter working on the toilets, and a dog walker, according to the pub.

This week Bolton Council said an enforcement officer visited the premises with police three days after the report was made.

A council spokesman said: “We have investigated this – an enforcement officer visited the premises on March 28 with GMP and there was no evidence of The Shakespeare operating outside of the regulations.”