LANDLORD Dan Latham was one of the few publicans who was able to keep his inn open over the festive period ­— until Prime Minister Boris Johnson called time on Monday.

Dan, who grew up in Breightmet, moved to the Isles of Scilly three years ago and now runs The Mermaid Inn on the main island of St Mary’s ­— and he can’t think of a better place to spend lockdown 3 ­— describing it as paradise ­— despite the fact he has had to shut the pub.

He said: “We have no coronavirus cases on the Isles and do think it is unfair that we have had to close and are being tarred with the same brush, especially as pubs on some of the islands off Scotland are allowed to stay open.

The Bolton News: FESTIVE: The Mermaid Inn during when it was open

(Traditional festivities at The Mermaid Inn)

“We had a great Christmas and New Years, as the pub was only one of a handful allowed to stay open in the UK, and we received a lot of media attention.

“Now we will have to wait until the restrictions are lifted.”

Dan, a qualified chef, was working across Europe before a friend from Bolton, who also runs a pub on the Isles, suggested he move to the Isles of Scilly.

And he has never looked back.

The Bolton News: VIEW: Dan Latham's view where he lives on Isles of Scilly

(Isles of Scilly)

He said: “I love it here. We are only 28 miles from the mainland, but it is just paradise.

"This year, there have been whales , you can go snorkelling and it is just unbelievable. It’s peaceful and quiet and 450 miles away from Bolton.

“During the first lockdown, it was like the Bahamas. I have just bought a boat with my sous chef Sam Edwards who is from Burnley.

“There are only around 1,800 people, and I am known as Dan the chef.

“From where I am, you can see the sea on one side and the harbour on the other side.”

Dan will be enjoying the lockdown working on his boat and enjoying life on the isles, as well as making the pub ready for re-opening.

He said that lockdown had highlighted the many stunning places of the UK.

He added: “When the first lockdown was lifted, we had so many tourists. The inn was booked out every night.”