CITY Mayor Aubrey Tarbuck is fuming after finding the historic entrance to Worcester Guildhall closed to the public.

Following a £650,000 programme to provide access for the disabled, the Guildhall's grand entrance doors, approached by a flight of steps, will now only open for dignitaries arriving at civic events.

Everyone entering from the High Street now has to use a door in the north wing, to the right of the main doors.

But the new arrangements confused visitors and amazed the Mayor when he attended a book launch on Saturday.

"I was astonished," he said. "I don't know who made the decision to close the doors, but it's outrageous. I was told it was for security reasons, but I don't understand the reasoning behind it.

"Many famous people in our history have entered the Guildhall through those doors, from Cromwell and Nelson to Winston Churchill, the Queen and Prince Philip. It's criminal to close off a door that has been used for hundreds of years."

Coun Tarbuck said the building had always looked welcoming to visitors, with open doors and a view of the main staircase, hung with paintings.

"It doesn't make sense to stop able-bodied people from enjoying that wonderful vista," he said. Author Dilip Sarkar launched his new book, Johnnie Johnson: Spitfire Top Gun, Part Two, at the Guildhall on Saturday.

"We set up pitch in the courtyard at the front, where people could see us. If we had had to stay inside, we would have been sunk," he said.

"The signage for the new entrance wasn't clear enough and it looked as if the Guildhall was shut. It is irrational to close the main doors. They should get them open again as soon as possible."

City council chief executive David Wareing said the new north wing entrance provided level access to the lift, giving wheelchair access to all floors.

"People who couldn't previously get upstairs to enjoy a meal in the Assembly Room can now do so," he said.

"The changes were made in the interest of equality, because there would be a bit of a stigma attached to using a different entrance because you were disabled.

"It is also for security, because the reception desk is by the new entrance.

"But we will listen to what people say and if we have to tweak the signage, we will do so."