BOLTON'S oldest pub is re-opening with a historical look.

The towels are off at Ye Olde Man and Scythe, Churchgate, on Thursday, after a 10-week refurbishment.

The work has been described as "more a restoration than a refurbishment" by landlord John Jewitt.

The layout of the bar has changed to how it was before 1920 - basically the same as it was when it originally opened centuries ago.

On the historical theme, Mr Jewitt is offering a £100 reward for the safe return of an old drinking cup which was reportedly taken from the pub years ago.

If recovered, the two handled cup will become part of a permanent historical display on show inside the pub.

It was last seen in the pub in 1965 and all efforts to trace it have failed.

However, the landlord believes a woman called Angela or Evelyn Devereux may hold the key.

Mr Jewitt said: "It's not necessarily a case of her being directly involved, but it's understood that a lady of that name knows something about it."

Pub folklore suggests Lord Derby sipped his last drink from the pewter goblet before he was executed in Churchgate.

In reality, the cup is thought to date from around the turn of the century and the Lord Derby story may have been a publicity stunt.

More than 400 people have already signed up with the pub to enjoy free 17th Century food on the opening night.

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