Comedian Vegas has smashing time at pub

Comedian and pub fan Johnny Vegas smashed a giant piñata filled with cigarette lighters and other smoking paraphernalia to open a new patio at a Manchester pub.

Vegas was also on hand at the Lass O'Gowrie to officially name the patio by unveiling a "Vegas on Medlock" plaque.

The Greene King pub is well known in the area and has been used as a film location. It is also a previous Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Pub of the Month.

The patio, which cost £75,000 and took 18 months in planning, will allow customers to enjoy a view over the river Medlock whilst enjoying a meal and pint.

The piñata smashing helped kick off an evening packed full of activities, including a party for the pub's regulars and Manchester's 'great and good'.

Gareth Kavanagh, who has been the licensee of the Lass O'Gowrie since 2005, said: "What an amazing night for the pub. Johnny's been a regular at the Lass for a while now, and he managed to pull in a huge crowd to watch the spectacle. I've never seen someone create such a mess before!"