THE future of 84 pubs in Bolton is secure, despite the fact that the chain owning them is selling 1,000 premises across the country.

Punch Taverns, which has put 1,000 of its 9,300 pubs on the market ahead of the smoking ban on July 1, has said it is committed to its presence in Bolton.

And the company said it will have invested more than £1 million on pub improvements in the town by August.

Almost £500,000 has already been spent at two prime sites - The Brierfields, in Blackburn Road, and the Farmers in Chorley Street. Both have taken the step of becoming non-smoking before the ban becomes law.

The Brierfields has had a £340,000 makeover, transforming the 130-year-old pub into a modern bar and Spanish tapas restaurant, El Mundo.

At the helm is former retailer Mary Winter, who decided to quit her 60-a-day smoking habit when the pub closed for refurbishment on New Year's Eve.

She said: "I had been a heavy smoker for 30 years but if I was going to expect my customers to stop smoking inside the pub, then I thought I should lead by example and quit myself.

"I have always had ambitions to be my own boss and when The Brierfields became available decided to take the plunge. Now I have turned my dream into reality."

Milo Mazeika, who operates the Farmers, said the £130,000 investment had changed the look of the pub into a bright, quality local.

"We have just reopened and the decision to go no-smoking is proving a good one. Our customers fully support us and are more than happy to smoke in the refurbished beer garden, which has a pagoda and heaters," he said.

The Farmers has also invested in a new catering kitchen.

Punch Taverns business relationship manager John Wray said: "A good investment won't work without the right operator in place and pubs are successful because of the excellent licensees running them - Mary and Milo are no exception.

"They have had the foresight to use the smoking ban as an opportunity to attract new customers by investing in their pubs and introducing new offers."