A nightspot that has been entertaining Worcester people for nearly two decades has closed.

Thousands of people have celebrated birthdays, marriages and retirements at the Westside in Hylton Road Retail Park, St John's. They have also enjoyed 10-pin bowling, snooker and cabaret there.

The Westside is one of a dying breed of nightspots parodied to great acclaim by comedian Peter Kay in his Phoenix Nights television series for Channel 4.

Kay played Brian Potter, the wheelchair-bound owner of the fire-blighted Phoenix Club who was determined to see it rise from the ashes.

Westside owners Dave and Jakki Wood made the decision to close their popular venue after receiving an offer - from an as yet undisclosed source - to buy it. It celebrated its last night on Saturday.

Mrs Wood said: "We can't reveal who at the moment as discussions are still under way.

"It was a hard decision to make and a very sad day on Saturday. But where one door closes another one opens."

Dave and Jakki bought the Westside in 1986 when it was a 4,000 sq ft warehouse.

Over 19 years they quadrupled its size by adding four bars, snooker tables, a pool table, a 10-pin bowling alley and the Palm Beach function room, which was turned into Caesars nightspot two years ago.

Top entertainers including snooker player Jimmy White, comedian Bernard Manning and band Ivy League have helped to draw in the crowds. The Westside even made it into the record books in 1989 when two men played snooker there non-stop for two weeks.

The venue also goes down in history for being the first in Britain to host karaoke nights.

"We used to have to put a closed sign on the door at 9pm because you couldn't move for people," Mr Wood said.

Westside customers have also helped raise more than £20,000 for local charities.

There was no special farewell party on Saturday night - instead, Mr and Mrs Wood will be hosting a private party for friends in the coming weeks.

Both plan to concentrate on their musical careers - Mrs Wood sings, and Mr Wood sings and plays the keyboard.

"We have made many wonderful friends and will take with us many happy memories," they said.