PUBS, bars and restaurants in Bury are being asked to removed their curtains and blinds after police discovered some were still opening despite the Government lockdown in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are requesting that licensed establishments immediately remove anything that might stop them seeing in through a building's windows.

This only applies to a building's bar area, however.

In a statement, GMP said: "It has come to the attention of the police that some licensed establishments are not abiding by the rules set out by the Government in relation to Covid-19 and are still trading.

"We request that any establishment that has erected obstructions that stop a person from looking through the windows (eg curtains/blinds) should remove them immediately. This only applies to the bar area."

All business serving food and drink ­— excluding food delivery and takeaways ­— were ordered to remain closed as of March 23 by the UK Government.

This is to "prevent the spread of coronavirus and save lives", the Cabinet Office says.