A KIND-HEARTED DJ had to give a gran a lift home when was stranded in Bolton town centre after her 60th birthday bash.

Margaret Hellings had enjoyed a family knees-up in a function room at The Brass Cat pub on Churchgate.

But when Margaret left the pub with her daughter, Leesa, 36 and her three-year-old grandson Daniel, the private hire car that had been booked failed to turn up, it is claimed.

Fortunately Farnworth DJ Kevin Lee - who spun the discs at her party - was able to give Margaret a lift home but there was not enough room for Leesa or Daniel.

It meant single mum Leesa, who is studying for a Masters degree in public health, and Daniel were stranded in the freezing street, surrounded by drunken revellers who were emptying out of pubs.

Leesa, of Osbourne Close, Farnworth, said she was furious that the taxi failed to turn up after more than three quarters of an hour and she had to wait until 1am for a next door neighbour to collect them.

She said: "There was a taxi stand nearby but it was full of drunks. Daniel was terrified by it all. People were shouting and throwing up and he was frightened to death.

"Luckily I had my mobile phone with me and I tried to contact Murtax Taxis who I booked with, but the number was just engaged all the time.

"The worrying thing is that it's encouraging people to drive themselves. If you can't guarantee that a taxi will turn up on time then you might want to drive yourself."

Stan Boseley, manager of Farnworth-based Murtax Taxis, stressed that company books showed a taxi had been sent to collect Margaret and her family at 12.15am.

He added: "I can't comment further until I speak to the driver involved and the book staff. The matter will be fully investigated if we receive a written complaint."

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