A PUB which used top host music events in the 1970s and 80s has joined the number of venues across Bolton leading a resurgence of live band nights.

The Cotton Tree in Halliwell is the latest place to welcome back bands to the bar.

The amps were plugged back in at the venue in Prince Street last month for the first in a series of live music nights.

North West three-piece The Three was one of the bands to help christen the new stage.

Singer and bass guitarist Ian Edmundson has been a regular of Bolton’s music scene over the decades and is delighted to see bands get a growing platform in small local venues.

He said: “I played there in the 80s with an old band so it was nice to be back.

“It was good to be playing there again, there’s a good crowd with lots of people interested in the music and we hope to get back there later in the year.

“Pubs are closing every day but the Cotton Tree has quite a past so it’s good to help build that back up.

“These days pubs have to try everything they can to get through, it’s tough times. hence there’s a trend of looking to live music.

“I think are going back to it which is great for bands.”

Mr Edmundson, aged 58, comes from Farnworth and has previously played with locally formed bands including Peppermint Dream, gigging over the years in venues around the North West.

The Three also have a regular spot at Bar One Ten in Tyldsley, which has grown in popularity over the years, proving there is a strong audience out there.

Mr Edmundson added: “They are playing live music back at the Old Three Crowns and Hogarths, the Alma is still going has has quite a little music scene.

“The thing is we used to have places like Oscars and Aquarius, and they have all gone, even the Gypsies Tent.

“There was a magazine called the Bolton Town Hall Steps published for a while in the 1980s.

“If you look through the old listings of bands you can see just how many places there were - and the Cotton Tree is on that list!”

The Bolton News publishes a list of live local gigs every Thursday in the 24/7 supplement.

To find out more visit the ‘Cotton Tree’ Facebook page.