A MAN has been banned from all the pubs and clubs in Bolton town centre after biting another man on the nose.

The 12 month exclusion order is believed to be the first of its kind in Bolton in recent years.

Neil James MacKinnon, aged 31, of Hebden Court, Vernon Street, Bolton, is prohibited from entering any licensed premises on Deansgate, Bradshawgate, Nelson Square, Churchgate, Bank Street and Mawdsley Street.

He is currently serving five months in jail for assaulting a 26-year-old man from Halliwell in the Life bar in Nelson Square last August.

MacKinnon was convicted of assault at Bolton magistrates in October.

A letter explaining the exclusion order and a photograph of MacKinnon is being distributed to all licensed premises in the exclusion area. The ban is made under the Licensed Premises (Exclusion of Certain Person) Act 1980.

If he breaches the order, he faces one month's imprisonment or a fine -- or both.

The move has been welcomed by landlords in the town centre and the police.

Philip Caine, from the Brass House on Churchgate said: "People might think twice about causing trouble in the town centre if they know that they could be banned from all the pubs and clubs.

"It is a step in the right direction.

"Normally we have to rely on our security staff, customers or the police for information about trouble makers.

"This means our staff can check the details every week and can keep out people who cause trouble."

PC Greg Pickles from the police licensing unitsaid: "We want to make Bolton a safe place where people can enjoy themselves day or night.

"The exclusion order acts as a deterrent because landlords in other areas, apart from the town centre, unofficially adopt them and turn troublemakers away as well.

"The orders apply to people who have used violence or threatened violence to the licensee or their staff."

Alan Meadows, principal legal advisor at Bolton Magistrates Court, said: "The orders can made be made in addition to any sentence which is passed by the bench.

"It is rare for one to be made because they can only be issued if violence takes place inside licensed premises. Normally trouble occurs outside licensed premises."