A Leigh pub has celebrated its centenary by returning to its former glory as a hotel.

The Grand Hotel in Leigh is once again operating as a hotel - 50 years after it last put up paying guests.

Leigh firefighters were on hand with bolt-croppers to cut through chains and officially open the doors to the upper two floors of the landmark building in The Broadway, before trying out the newly-restored facilities.

The fire crew was invited to perform the opening, as the Grand has needed its help on several occasions over the past 20 years, when fires have broken out there.

The hotel now boasts 16 newly-refurbished bedrooms, with en-suite facilities on its second and third floors, which had previously fallen into disrepair.

A party was held at the pub to welcome guests and to celebrate its 100th birthday.

Clean break - Leigh fireman Nigel Townend tries out the shower in one of the Grand's newly-refurbished rooms

Picture: LLUAN MARSHALL

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