FURIOUS landlord Nick Hogan has instructed his legal team to contact Bolton Council to demand they reinstate him as the licensee of two town centre bars.

The rebel pub boss found himself locked out of The Swan Hotel and Barristers bar on Friday when the owner of the buildings took action.

Paul Kylie called in bailiffs to break in and change the locks, claiming Mr Hogan had breached the terms of his lease - which states he must abide by all UK laws - by allowing customers to smoke.

A notice was placed in the window claiming any attempts by Mr Hogan to re-enter the pubs would result in criminal or civil action being taken against him.

The rebel landlord - who has been in the news recently for allegedly flouting the smoking ban - went to the High Court in Manchester and claimed he was not a law breaker because he had not been convicted in connection with his reported smoking ban breaches.

He won the right to get back into the two pubs, but as the case was being heard, Mr Kylie and his son, Ryan, visited Bolton Council's licensing department, where they changed the tenancy of The Swan and Barristers, naming Ryan as the new licensee.

Mr Hogan, who opened the pubs as usual over the weekend, has contacted his solicitor.

He has written to Bolton Council demanding they reinstate him as licensee - or face being ordered to do so by the courts. Mr Hogan said: "These are still my pubs and I have no intention of going anywhere."

The controversial landlord has repeatedly allowed drinkers to smoke in the two bars.

He is now awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to five counts of failing to prevent people from smoking and four of obstructing council officers.

A council spokesman said: "We will need to consider the information that has been sent to us."