A PUB landlord, released this week after serving a jail term for defying anti-smoking laws, is to stand for parliament.

Nick Hogan, who runs the Swan With Two Necks pub in Chorley with wife Denise, has been selected as a candidate by the UK Independence Party to represent the town.

Mr Hogan, 43, former landlord of the Holden Arms in Haslingden and Waterside pub in Summerseat, was released early from prison on Wednesday, after his fines for allowing customers to smoke in his previous pub in Bolton were paid by supporters who sent in £10,000 of donations.

Paul Nuttall, North West MEP for UKIP, said: “We fully support Nick as our candidate and are delighted that, despite all the trauma he has been through, he is still prepared to fight for people's right to choose.”