ANGRY council bosses have reprimanded managers at the Varsity after dozens of flyers promoting the town centre bar were scattered along Churchgate.

Local buildings and railings were also wrapped in tape carrying adverts for the reopening of the popular venue, following a refurbishment.

But managers at the pub vowed never to repeat the stunt after being accused by Bolton town hall officials of littering.

Council workers appeared on the street to clear away the adverts in the shape of footprints on Friday morning.

The ads called on bar-goers to "Make tracks to the Varsity".

Cllr Roger Hayes, the council's executive member for direct services, said: "I am very annoyed by what they have done -- it is totally irresponsible.

"We are trying to clean up the town and get the message across to people that they should take a pride in Bolton.

"For a well-known trader to behave in this way is a terrible example to set to people.

"A decision will be taken as to what action will follow but the council does not go to court easily."

Council bosses have ordered a crackdown on littering, flyers and fly-posting following complaints at the amount of rubbish in the streets of Bolton town centre.

Litter wardens were deployed in the borough earlier this year to hand out on-the-spot £50 fines to anyone caught dropping rubbish on the floor.

It followed the council's Bin It For Bolton campaign, launched in conjunction with the Bolton Evening News earlier this year, which was backed by many town centre businesses.

Sean Philburn, manager of the Varsity, said the bar's leaflets were cleared off the streets within "a matter of hours". He said: "I am sure some people would see this as littering but it was all meant as a bit of harmless fun. We have agreed not to do it again."