electric bar
© Cornwall Live WSAn electric fence has been erected by the bar - and it can be switched off
An electric fence has been erected at a pub bar to ensure people keep socially distanced from one another.

Staff at The Star Inn in St Just were struggling to keep punters under control following their recent reopening.

Rather than continuing their attempts at herding the proverbial cats, they have erected an electric fence, Devon Live reported.

Star Inn landlord Johnny McFadden confirmed that the fence was placed there to enforce social distancing.

Star Inn pub
© Google StreetviewThe Star Inn pub in St Just
"It's there for social distancing," he said, speaking on Sunday afternoon.

"Before the fence, people were not following social distancing and were doing as they pleased, but now people take heed to the guidance around social distancing".

Johnny added: "It's for everybody's benefit."

A couple of drunken revellers claimed they were electrocuted by the fence on Saturday night, after one too many pints.

Johnny insists the fence is usually switched off - but warned: "It can be turned on".

The Star Inn is a St Austell Brewery-owned venue described as "true gem, full of tradition, character and immense charm".

Its website says "a friendly welcome [is] assured" but has not been updated to make mention of the electric fence.

It was announced on Friday that a sixth pub has been forced to close, along with an Indian restaurant and a vape shop, after customers tested for coronavirus.

In the week since 'Super Saturday' saw the hundreds of pubs and restaurants reopening their doors, at least eight establishments have had to shut up shop again.

A second pub in Burnham-On-Sea in Somerset closed because a customer has tested positive for Covid-19, after one was reported as closing earlier in the week.

The Somerset and Dorset pub in the town's High Street says any customers who visited from Saturday who needs to be tested will be contacted by NHS track and trace.

The pub will reopen after it undergoes a deep clean.