VISITORS to the town centre can be shaken – and stirred – if they call in at a new bar in The Vaults, underneath Bolton's Market Place shopping centre.

Bolton Bangers is trying to do something different. Not only do they sell foot-long hot dogs and two-for-one ice creams, they are also selling a new form of alcoholic beverage; a milkshake with two shots in it.

Bolton Bangers originally launched last year, in Bolton market, moving to The Vaults last week.

The business’ founder, Mark Knutton, said: "We wanted to go for the adult markets, then the idea of sausages and shakes came about”.

“I’m sure it’s been done before, but from our point of view we see it as the focus. We’re going to call them two-shot shakes, because in each milkshake you get two shots of spirit”

“The idea is anyone coming in, whether its mid-morning on a Monday or whether it’s nine o’clock on a Saturday night, we’ve got something for you.”

WE had three flavours prepared for us when we called in: strawberry shortcake (containing raspberry flavoured vodka), Nutella Nightcap (with some baileys for good measure), and banana bomb (featuring rum).

Decorated in whipped cream, plenty of toppings and being served in traditional tall glasses ensures that the shakes certainly look the part. Safe to say there was apprehension about trying them at first.

As for the milkshakes themselves, they don’t taste how you’d think. All the alcohol added is disguised by the sweet flavours of the shake itself, and the fact that the alcohol chosen complements those flavours probably helps. You wouldn’t know they contained any alcohol if it wasn’t advertised as such, and the milkshakes themselves are an excellent treat.

Time will tell if this unusual take on a classic dessert will prove popular with patrons.