Manchester's first non-alcoholic bar is to open with its patron John Thomson as special guest.

The Umbrella Cafe will open its doors for the first time on Friday (September 5) with former Cold Feet and fast Show actor the face of the venue.

Thomson, who is currently starring in BBC Two's Two Amigos: A Gaucho Adventure with Fast Show co-star Simon Day, will welcome guests to the Northern Quarter bar, which will sell non-alcoholic 'mocktails' and other soft drinks.

Thomson, 45, says he is keen to support a cause striving to provide somewhere to go for non-drinkers once coffee shops close, especially at the weekend.

The actor, who is tee-total himself following a battle with alcohol , said: “I take it as a great honour to be asked to be patron of The Umbrella Café.

“This is a first for Manchester and I hope it proves to be as great a success as other similar ‘Dry’ projects in the UK.

“As we know the current coffee bar culture is a huge cultural phenomenon but, as many of these cease to trade in the evening, where can the non-drinkers of the world unite?

"A Friday and Saturday night for a non-drinker has never been catered for, there's never been a safe non-threatening environment for fellow teetotallers, for whatever reasons, to get to get together and socialise."

“I hope this project is a huge success and gains a reputation as being somewhere cool and exciting to go without the fear of the atmosphere turning sour because of different individuals’ adverse reactions to alcohol.

"I back this project 10o per cent and genuinely hope that I can have a place in town that I and many others like me, who don't drink, can look forward to visiting and socialising in for many years to come."

The cafe will be based at Nexus Art Café on Dale Street and will serve 'mocktails' and a variety of soft drinks.

There are also plans to provide live music, dance, DJ sets and comedy nights at the venue, run by not-for-profit community interest company The Dry Umbrella.

The Umbrella Café will be open from 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday nights

The Umbrella Cafe co-director, Helen Malarky, said: "We at the Umbrella Café are delighted to have such a local legend as our patron. John is not only a comedy and acting star to us, he is someone who totally understands where we are coming from and why we are doing this. He is much more than just a figurehead, he is one of us.”

The Umbrella Cafe mocktail menu (subject to change)

Virgin Apple Nojito

A twist on a classic... Mint, lime, sugar & cloudy apple juice.

Scarlett O’hara

Raspberry purée, mixed with lime & fiery ginger beer.

Elderflower spritz

Fresh blueberries, elderflower syrup, cranberry juice, topped with soda.

Purple Rain

A fruity punch! Sugar syrup, cranberry, grape & pineapple juice, topped with lemonade.

Strawberry basil soda

Fresh strawberries, basil, limes sugar syrup, topped with soda.