BOSSES at pub chain JD Wetherspoon were raising a glass today after their plans to join two bars together to create a new pub were given the green light.

Todd's Wine Bar and The Crown, in Crown Passage, will become one after Worcester city councillors ditched their initial reservations and approved the proposals.

Broad Street card shop Smart Ideas will also form part of the new pub.

The application was originally recommended for refusal because officers were worried about the loss of a city centre shop.

West Mercia police also objected - they feared revellers would pour out on to Broad Street and indulge in anti-social behaviour.

But Nick Brindley, representing the pub chain, assured councillors a number of original features would be reinstated.

Last night, Peter Yates, principal planning officer, told the planning committee West Mercia had withdrawn its objection when it was told the Broad Street door would be turned into a window.

Will Scott, principal conservation officer, said it was "planning irony" that the front of the historic coach house was turned into a shop in 1986, and now it was going to be turned back into a bar.

"This'll take it back to what it was," said Councillor Ray Turner. "The advantage far outweighs the loss of the shop."

After the meeting, Coun Derek Prodger, planning committee vice-chairman, said he was on the 1986 committee which approved turning the front lounge bar into a shop.

"I didn't want to lose that lounge," he said.

"The building is one of the little gems of Worcester."