POLICE will target an empty pub which has become a magnet for cocaine users.

Drug addicts have started using the doorway of the Grand hotel, in Leigh Broadway, to snort the Class A drug.

The problem is particularly bad on Friday and Saturday nights, when the town is full of revellers.

Residents have also told the Echo drug deals are being carried out in a nearby phonebox.

A man, 30, who asked not to be named, said: “I was waiting in the car park to pick up my girlfriend when I saw two men walk past and go into the doorway.

“The little bloke chopped it up and they both did two or three lines each.

“I was appalled, you could see really clearly what they were doing.

“Anyone who walked through the car park, along the pavement, or even standing outside the Mariners pub could have seen them.”

Another resident told the Echo: “Just watch the phone box outside the Grand for an evening on Friday or Saturday.

“I guarantee you will see at least five people sniffing up.”

Insp Brad Dickel, of Leigh police, promised police will act.

He said: “We will be all over it. We will be increasing patrols from PCSOs during the day for public reassurance.

“In the evening we will have a mixture of overt and covert patrols.”

Alex Coulson, Leigh town councillor, said the building being empty for so long had not helped.

He said: “I’m not sure what the town council can do, but I certainly back the police stepping up patrols.”

Jerry Holden, another town councillor, added: “There have been ongoing problems along The Broadway.

“As a council we take things like this very seriously. Police officers have had a lot of recent success combating drugs in the area. Long may it continue.”