James Aspell, 34, posted photos of his formal application to make his shuttered "400 Rabbits Tequila and Mezcal Cocktail Bar" in Nottingham an official place of meeting for religious worship.

He was also shown smiling and giving the thumbs-up while mailing the form for the now-reverentially named Church of the Four Hundred Rabbits.

To get approved, he needs people to sign up and say they are part of his congregation — telling Nottinghamshire Live that they can register as a "bunny believer" or "reverend of the righteous rabbits."

"With places of worship allowed to open in all tiers we thought f–k it let's start a religion!" he explained on Facebook to his new congregation, who would otherwise be barred under the UK's strict lockdown rules, which would only allow him to serve takeout if he sold food.

"Can't be that hard can it!" he added, promising "Congregation daily till late."