A LANDLORD has described the moment his pub was targeted in a mystery gas attack.

Around 60 customers and staff at The Bay Mare pub on Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, Bolton, were evacuated on Saturday night.

It is understood that a customer let off a canister of CS gas then ran out.

Landlord Andrew Trainor, 43, said customers were struggling to breathe.

Mr Trainor, landlord for three years, said: "It was a pretty average Saturday night really. I was behind the bar and did not realise what was going on.

"I started to cough then so did everyone else. It was like a wave of coughing across the pub.

"People could not breathe and their eyes were streaming. It was awful.

"We just got everyone out of there until the air cleared. We had to carry one elderly man out of the door because he just couldn't move.

"People were alright after a bit of fresh air. No one requested an ambulance."

Customers spent around 15 minutes outside.

Officers were due to return today to view CCTV footage, Mr Trainor said.

He added: "The police have said that it sounds like CS gas. On the CCTV you can see one man put something in his hand. Then you can see him laughing outside the pub."

A police spokesman said: "We were called to the pub to reports of customers being affected by some sort of substance that had been let off.

"Customers were complaining of feeling sick and the pub was cleared.

"Our enquiries are continuing."