PUB landlord James Talbot was celebrating today after winning a fight to keep his licence - thanks to a bishop, MP and a TV comedian.

Police had applied to have the licence revoked after Mr Talbot, 54, was caught serving after hours.

But character witnesses, including the Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Rev Alan Chesters, Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans and TV comic Lennie Bennett, pleaded for the licensee to stay behind the bar of The Bonny Inn, Ribchester Road, Salesbury.

Mr Talbot had earlier been fined £300 after he admitted serving after hours. Police then applied to have his licence revoked on the grounds he was not a "fit and proper" person to run a pub.

A special licensing session at Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard a string of written letters from people who wanted Mr Talbot to stay.

In his letter, the Bishop, who lives near the pub, said Mr Talbot had displayed a "caring attitude to his customers."

He also praised Mr Talbot for providing special transport to the pub for residents of a nearby home for the elderly.

Tory MP Mr Evans said he did not class himself as a regular but had visited the pub about 10 times. His letter said: "The running of the pub has never been an issue." TV star Lennie Bennett said he had been a friend of Mr Talbot's for several years. He praised the licensee's charity work and said: "I have always found him to be scrupulous with the licensing laws."

Police told how they had visited the pub and saw Mr Talbot and two bar staff serving up until 11.45pm.

John Parr, representing the police, said: "You fragrantly flouted the law even after receiving an earlier warning about serving after hours."

Peter Turner, defending, said: "If he loses his licence he will be homeless.

"This is a man highly thought of by some of the most respectable members of the community."

After the hearing, Mr Talbot said: "I'm going to be whiter than white from now on. I've learned my lesson and I'll never do it again.

"I'd like to thank every- one who spoke on my behalf. Without them I would have probably lost my livelihood. I will be having a celebration.

"It's my birthday next week so it will be a double party - I was thinking of applying for a late licence but there's not much chance of me getting that now!"

An application to make police pay Mr Talbot's costs - £750 plus VAT - was rejected but they were ordered to pay £350 towards them.

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