A PUB which continued to serve customers despite a national lockdown being in place has had its licence suspended.

Punters were found hiding upstairs in the Angel Inn, Burnley, after police visited the premises to check compliance following the start of the second lockdown on November 4.

In a report written by the Constabulary to Burnley Council’s licensing committee, PC Michael Jones explained how the force had received several complaints about the venue throughout the duration of the pandemic.

The latest incident resulted in a search taking place of the premises after an officer saw several people sat around the bar through the window - just days after all pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops were forced to close for a second time this year.

Author of the report, PC Michael Jones said: “At 9.15pm on Wednesday 11, PC Lee Ingham was tasked with conducting checks at premises within the Burnley area to ensure compliance with the lockdown regulations.

“The officer stated that he attended premises and he noted that all but one of the curtains were closed, but could see light from one of the windows.

“As he got out of his vehicle, he could hear music and managed to look above and advert sticker in the window and saw several people sitting drinking near the bar.

“The officer observed the occupants for about five seconds before being spotted and witnessed the people run towards the rear of the pub.

“With the assistance of other officers the exits were secured and PC Ingham knocked on the front door which was answered by a female after a delay of around two minutes. The female explained that she was in charge of the premises and was alone.

“The officer explained what he had witnessed but the female continued to maintain that she was alone and that nobody had been drinking.”

At this point, PC Ingham noted that the music had stopped and that all of the glasses had been removed from the bar.

A search of the premises was carried out and three people were found hiding upstairs. They were all issued with fixed penalty notices.

The report also details occasions prior to the second lockdown when concerns were raised over punters drinking in the pub without the purchase of food, something which was against coronavirus regulations at the time.

Further issues with a lack of social distancing, shoddy track and trace systems and people from more than one household sitting together and socialising were also identified.

Licensing documents on Burnley Council's website show that two community protection warnings were issued in August and September in relation to the breaches.

Defending her the incidents, licence holder Jackie Davies said she had made several attempts to contact the council licensing department to get advice on how to stay safe during the pandemic.

Ms Davies went on to add that she had been away with her family when the incident on November 11 took place, saying she had left the pub with someone she thought was a ‘loyal and trustworthy’ member of staff.

She said: "We understand the concerns due to covid 19 and try our best. We are a small community pub what [sic] does actually try and serve the community, with charity events, fundraisers, sponsorship and donations. We will be lucky to survive this lockdown but we are hopeful we can get through it by redecorating. We apologise if we seem to have broken any regulations but we have tried to get through this situation thinking we're on the same path.."

The Angel Inn's licence was suspended by the council in advance of a full hearing that will be held on December 4.