AN East Lancashire pub which claims to have a resident ghost has been named as one of the country's top family venues in The Publican Awards.

The Old Cobblers Inn, Rawtenstall, was among four finalists in the Family Pub of the Year category and was the only East Lancashire pub to feature in the awards announced during a ceremony compered by Bob Monkhouse in London last week.

The Publican is a leading trade magazine produced for the licensed trade and the awards recognise individuals and companies who represents the very best in the industry.

The Old Cobblers, in New Hall Hey, is run by Mike and Michelle Bishton and owned by Greenhall's brewery. It has been transformed into a family pub with Captain Coconut lay area as well as resident ghost the Grey Lady.

When the couple took the reins of the pub more than a year ago they said they had heard stories of haunted pubs in their long career in the pub trade but had never actually seen a ghoul. Michelle said at the time: "We provide a warm welcome here. I've never seen or heard the Grey Lady but from what I understand she is very pleasant so even our ghost is friendly.

"When we first arrived we were warned about her but we put all our energies into making this into a family pub.

"We are concentrating on making this one of the most popular pubs around."

Publican editor Lorna Harrison congratulated the couple on being nominated as finalists in the magazine's millennium awards.

She went on: "It is a huge achievement and the ultimate accolade for them. The pub industry has a lot to be proud of and envied throughout the world for it's diversity. The winners and finalists are to be congratulated on running successful businesses in an extremely competitive marketplace."

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