A FURIOUS man has claimed his friend was turned away from a Worcester nightclub at the weekend for being gay.

Mike Hartshorne, aged 25, who lives in the city centre, was enjoying an evening out on Saturday with his friend and neighbour, 23-year-old Dean Hartland.

"We had been to Lloyds bar for a drink and then decided we wanted to carry on our night at Bushwackers," said Mr Hartshorne, who himself is straight.

"We queued to get in and then when we got to the front of the queue one of the bouncers said about Dean: 'Don't let the lad with ginger hair in as he is gay'.

"This really upset me and Dean was disgusted.

"It's discrimination."

The Worcester News reported in June how 30-year-old Kim Curtis - a size 24 - claimed she was refused entry to the same Trinity Street nightspot because she was too fat.

And in 2000, a 21-stone bride-to-be was also turned away, claiming it was because she was too big. But Bushwackers co-owner Darren Pinches said his staff did not discriminate potentional customers on grounds of weight, colour or sexuality.

"We have got the right to refuse entry to whoever we want," he said.

"I have spoken to my doormen about the alleged incident on Saturday night and they tell me the group involved were drunk and verbally aggressive.

"The bouncers felt upset with the gentlemen concerned which meant they were automatically refused entry."