THE secret of a pub's success is not just down to good beer and a friendly atmosphere.

According to an Osbaldeston landlord, it's about showing a more charitable side too.

Ian Howes, 48, of the Bay Horse Inn, has hosted a number of charitable events during his first nine months in charge.

Ian recently collected more than £200 for Derian House with a sponsored bungee jump in the pub's car park.

The landlord, from Farnworth, has also raised £160 for the NSPCC after he organised a charity race night in the pub.

The former employee of Sceptre Leisure, of Chorley, a fruit machine company, has not only raised hundreds of pounds for charity but he has brought in the punters, who were impressed with his community spirit.

He said: "We try to raise as much as we can because, at the end of the day, they are for good causes. It's good for pubs to do this type of thing because it's good community spirit."

Ian's charitable side is not just confined to those in the land of the living -- he also refuses to bar the ghost of a former regular who haunts the premises.

"We've got a ghost called Cyril. He used to be a bad-tempered old git when he was alive and he hasn't let death get in the way of letting me know he's still around."

According to Ian, Cyril still plays snooker and slams the door when people leave it open.

But apart from the occasional missing ball and the fact that nobody will sit in his usual seat -- a bench where his indentation regularly appears -- he's not going to be exorcised.

"He doesn't let me forget he's still here, but we're not going to get rid of him, he's staying."

The Bay Horse holds a number of entertainment nights from karaoke and disco to live music.

On Friday, October 25, Stevie C will play his usual brand of all-round entertainment, for details please ring the pub on 01254 812303.