Covid ‘Blues’ were banished down a nostalgic memory lane at a popular harbourside pub on New Year’s Eve.

Staff at the 500-year-old Anchor Inn in Cockwood treated revelers to a Sixties and Seventies themed celebration

Dressed in period styles they served food and drinks to a packed pub into the small hours.

Manager Scott Hellier and head waitress Lucy Brockwell led the impromptu dancing as the iconic Grease characters played by John Travolta and Olivia Newton -John.

Scott (42) said: ‘My deputy Matt Goldsworthy did a star tuirn as Elton John and then slept in the bar to get an early start on the clear-up next morning.

‘I had called it a night at 3.30am. By that time I was exhausted, but it had been well worth it. The theme idea was a real success. One of our very best nights.

‘People kept telling us through the evening how great it was and that we had to do it again or something similar next year.

‘Surprisingly we didn’t have to hire a single item of clothing. The girls all found things in their wardrobes that passed for that period and Matt provided fancy shirts for the rest of us.’

Their morale boosting efforts were praised by Frank and Sonia Williams from Newport South Wales

Sonia said: ‘We drove down here to celebrate New Year after it was cancelled back home. We often holiday on the Warren and eat out at the Anchor.

‘This costumed theme was magical. It lifted everyone’s spirits. Whatever happens we’ll be back next year.’