A FATHER-OF-FOUR has been turned away from the pub he has visited every weekend for the past three years - because, he says, of his tattoo.

Gary Page and his wife Pat had enjoyed a friendly pint on a Sunday night at Barrels Wine Bar, on Angel Row, in Worcester city centre.

But when it was refurbished and renamed Bar Aprs, it took on a new image - which didn't include Mr Page and the spider tattoo on his neck.

He was indignant and embarrassed when he was turned away by doormen last Sunday.

"I have been going there with my wife Pat on a Sunday night for about three years," he said. "All the times I have been in there and spent money, I just couldn't believe they wouldn't let me in.

"The staff have always been really friendly with me. I've never caused trouble or anything, and I was dressed smartly - it is discrimination to turn me away just because of my tattoo.

"What made it worse was that, as they were turning me away, they let a woman in who had a rose tattoo on her back," added the 43-year-old labourer.

The couple, of Maple Avenue, Tolladine, always start their evening in the Postal Order on Foregate Street, they then used to go to Barrels at about 9pm, before rounding off their evening with a drink at Le Mango.

The bar has recently undergone a complete refurbishment - it closed about three weeks ago and re-opened as Bar Aprs.

Manager Dean Hill said there was not a specific policy against tattoos, but there was a "strict" new dress code.

"Barrels no longer exists," he said. "It has had a complete refurbishment and is now called Bar Aprs, which is a completely different venue.

"We have a strict dress code policy on the door, which means we want people who have made an effort and look smart in appearance."

Mr Hill said he could not comment on Mr Page's case because he was not there at the time.

"We are a privately owned business and we reserve the right to turn people away if they do not meet our door and dress restrictions," he added.