An ex-landlady who set up a virtual pub to keep people entertained during coronavirus lockdown has been forced to employ bar staff to cope with her 14,500 customers.
Jo Bowtell launched the The Virtual Pub Facebook page just over a week ago and regularly hosts live music, quizzes, DJ sets, open mic and comedy nights.
The 40-year-old started the page as a way to bring her local community together after running the The Noel Arms in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire for several years.
But the group has proven so popular it has attracted over 14,000 members from as far away as Australia, USA, Canada, Spain and Italy.