A 21-STONE bride-to-be claims she was barred from a Worcester nightspot because she was too fat.

Lin Higginbotham, who was on her hen night with a group of friends, was turned away from Bushwackers.

The mother-of-three has accused the Trinity Street venue of wanting to admit only "stick-thin" revellers with big bosoms.

Bushwackers co-owner Darren Pinches admitted: "It's all down to looks. We turn away people who don't fit that image."

The hen party tried its luck after receiving a flyer stating "everyone welcome". Some of the 14-strong group were allowed in but Mrs Higginbotham claims the larger women were shown the door.

"We'd been stood at the bar for a couple of minutes when we were asked to leave," said Mrs Higginbotham, of Dalegarth Court, Warndon.

"They said it wasn't about the way we looked but because Monday night was a way of saying thank you to the people who had been there during the weekend.

"But we could tell it was because we weren't stick-thin with skirts up to our bums."

The group of 18 to 45-year-olds ended up heading for another Worcester bar, where they finished off the night on Monday, October 30.

"We ended up having a really good night," said 41-year-old Mrs Higginbotham, who works at Spar in Warndon and who was married on Saturday, November 4.

"They were totally arrogant on the door," said her friend Pauline Eaton, of Saddlers Walk, Blackpole. "It was disgusting the way we were treated. I want people to know how fat people get treated."

Darren Pinches, who owns Bushwackers with his brother Craig, defended his action.

"We've got guidelines of what kind of female we let into the premises," said Mr Pinches. "We try to aim at an image of ladies, same for gentlemen. I went up to the girls and asked them to leave because they weren't the right image.

"We like people to have a smart appearance and take pride in themselves. It's not so much about being a Barbie girl but a smart image in general."