Residents of a community in Bolton have been given a big night of celebration at their pub.

The Morris Dancers in Morris Green gave its visitors a joyous event with their first Christmas lights switch-on.

Patrons were treated to a brass band playing Christmas classics, singing and dancing elves, a visit from Santa Claus with advent calendars and a kids buffet, including a potato hash, as well as switching on the lights on the Christmas tree.

Pub manager Michelle Haig said: “All this is for the community.

“Because I’m close with the community, so it’s like a big family here.

“Since Covid I think the community feel has changed, people appreciate what they lost a lot more.

“It’s a mixed group at the pub, from the youngest where we have young kids who come with their parents, to my eldest patron who is 90.”

Michelle has now been the pub manager for five years, and has worked to make the pub feel like a hub for the community.

She said: “We’ve had to pick it up, we’ve just got it nice now. We had a room renovated last year, that’s had a massive impact as well.

“We have our pensioners party in a couple of weekends time, we’ve got our kids’ Christmas party and we’re holding a party for the Morris Green litter pickers to recognise what they do.

The Bolton News: A brass band, carol singers and Santa Claus spread some Christmas cheer at the Morris Green pubA brass band, carol singers and Santa Claus spread some Christmas cheer at the Morris Green pub (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s all community driven.”

The light switch-on took place in the outdoor seated area at the front of the pub, which used to be car parking.

Michelle said: “We’ve fenced it off and it’s got used a lot more. We’ve done all sorts- in the summer we did the Queen’s Jubilee.

“On Bonfire Night we had bin fires so people could roast marshmallows.”