HOLCOMBE Brook's popular American landlord, Mr Joe Bleacher, pulled his last pint on Tuesday, June 23.

Having run the Hare and Hounds for four years with his wife Kathryn, Joe and his family left the town on Wednesday. They are to manage another Scottish Newcastle Pub in Washington Village, County Durham.

Kathryn (41) is from Lancashire but she met Joe (33), who comes from Ohio, on a trip to Southern California.

Since his time in the town, Joe has become an active member of the community and played a large part in this year's Ramsbottom Sports Week as deputy chairman.

He said: "I will really miss the place. I've made some really good friends here and have had some great times."

On Monday night, friends packed the pub to say a final goodbye.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.