A blind former doorman has reached an out-of-court settlement after being turned away from a Brighton nightclub.

John Griffiths was holidaying in the city and decided to go to the Junction night spot at the Palace Hotel for a drink.

Mr Griffiths, 54, arrived alone but claimed he was refused entry on safety grounds.

With help from the Royal National Institute of the Blind, he pursued a claim against the club's owners Sound & Music (GB) Ltd. The firm has now agreed to change its health and safety policy, apologise to Mr Griffiths and pay him £750.

Mr Griffiths, from Moreton, Wirral, Merseyside, said the incident happened on August 24, 2001.

He said the Junction was recommended to him as it catered mainly for over-30s.

He said: "I went by taxi and the driver showed me to the doorman. I asked how much it was and then said I was blind.

"He said he couldn't let me in because of the fire risk.

"I was a nightclub doorman for ten years before losing my sight and I go clubbing every week. This was the first time in 19 years I had ever been refused entry. I was annoyed, frustrated and disgusted. It spoilt my holiday."

After the RNIB appointed solicitors to deal with the case, it progressed through Brighton County Court but a settlement was reached this month.

Sound & Music (GB) Ltd has agreed to remove a ban on the admission of unaccompanied disabled persons, review its health and safety policy and instruct staff about escorting disabled people from the premises in an emergency.

The firm must also write a formal apology and pay Mr Griffiths £750 plus £80 of witness expenses.

The directors of Sound & Music (GB) Ltd were unable to be contacted for comment.