PUB punters and diners made the most of pubs, cafes and restaurants being opened for the first weekend in months.

People in Bolton flocked to their favourite watering holes and eating establishments to meet up with family and friends amid the coronavirus restrictions being eased last week.

The government rules now allow hospitality venues to serve customers in outdoor settings and beer gardens have been packed out across the borough, with the glorious sunshine giving visitors an ideal chance to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat.

Joint landlord of the Spread Eagle in Bromley Cross, George Campbell, said: “It’s been manic, it's been like New Year’s Eve every day.

“People have been glad to get out and it’s been busy in the last week since we reopened.

“We were fully booked at the weekend and then we had walk-ins coming in when tables were free too.

“The weather has been great.

“Some people have been unable to come in unfortunately due to the bookings.

“Everybody that works at the pub are tired but we’re all glad to be back.

“We did not expect it to be this busy but hopefully it continues.

“We have also launched a ‘tapas on the terraces’ night on Wednesdays and we are booked up with that for a few weeks.”

Northern Monkey in Nelson Square was also delighted to welcome customers through its doors again.

Liam Convey who runs the bar with Ryan Bailey, said: "It seems to have gone smoothly at the weekend and we were busy.

"People were in good spirits and enjoying themselves and the weather was nice.

"We were obviously limited on capacity to the customers we could serve outside but we were full all the time.

"We didn't take bookings, we just did walk-ins and they're weren't many queues."

With the reopening of hospitality places, the police and council have been working together to make sure that businesses stick to the rules.

But there were no notable breaches reported over the weekend, with venues making sure that visitors are following the guidance in bids to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

A Bolton Council spokeswoman said: “The council works closely with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to monitor licensed premises in the borough.

"Council regulatory services team activities at the weekend, thankfully resulted in very few issues being observed.  

"Where concerns about specific premises were observed, these were referred to GMP for follow up. 

"Overall, good levels of compliance were observed.”

Many venues without the luxury of outdoor tables have not reopened yet, with indoor hospitality set to be allowed on Monday, May 17.