A PUB landlord was punched in the face as he tried to eject three women who had been causing a disturbance.

Magistrates heard that Alex Holden had earlier been hit over the head with a glass by one of the women at the Imperial on Blackburn Road, Accrington.

Cassey Bolton, 24, of Moorlands Fields, York, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Holden and was remanded on bail.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said the women had been smoking in the pub and had caused a disturbance when asked to stop. Mr Holden went over and told them to leave.

Bolton refused and as Mr Holden was talking to her, one of her friends came up behind and hit him on the back of the head with a glass.

Bolton struggled as she was being taken outside and then lashed out, punching Mr Holden in the face.

The magistrates ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report after hearing that Bolton had previous convictions for assault, being drunk and disorderly, affray and wounding.