A NORTH-EAST pub has apologised after suggesting it would not serve those over the age of 25 after a certain time each evening.

Bosses at The Blue Bell in Usworth, Washington took to social media following an earlier post which said it would become an 'over 25s' pub at 7pm each day.

At the time their decision, which they said was needed to "safeguard" its neighbours from noise, received a significant amount of backlash online.

But in a statement this afternoon, pub bosses apologised for causing offence while saying that had not been their intention. 

In their original statement published on Wednesday, the pub said that only groups over the age of 25 would be permitted into the pub after 7pm each day.

It said that groups of under 25s would be refused after 7pm, while existing groups would be asked to leave by 7pm at their discretion.

It said that it was doing this to help safeguard neighbours, some of whom are classed as elderly and vulnerable, in a bid to prevent groups of youngsters leaving late at night.

But on social media, the pub received a wave of backlash with those under the age of 25 hitting back at the measures.

One person said: "I live in Concord, have done for ten years and I tell you the most noisy folks to walk past are those who are a lot older than 25."

Meanwhile, another person said: "I've seen older people than 25 leaving and making a racket. I live up this way too and it's not just under 25s."

In a later statement, the pub explained the rule had been created to "deter" large groups of those under 25 following a number of reported issues.

Confirming they had deleted their previous post, they said: "I have removed the last status as it has caused offence to lots of people.

"I just want to clarify that it was not meant to be discriminatory against any age groups.

"It was intended to deter large groups of people, under 25 or otherwise from booking tables individually but for large groups, as the law dictates that we cannot have such gatherings.

"We have had issues with large groups of under 25s recently, with elderly neighbours feeling intimidated by them when leaving the premises.

"I certainly did not intend to upset anyone. Rather the opposite. I want young people to feel welcome here but not if they are disrespectful and causing bother.

"It may have came across that I was implying that all under 25s are bothersome. That was not the intention. I apologise to anyone who has been upset or offended by it.

"I simply want this pub to be a nice place to be for all and assure my neighbours and customers that i am doing my best to control our clientele and to make them feel safe. 

"Wrongly worded and badly thought out. Apologies."