ONE of Worcester's oldest pubs has been forced to close its doors today.

Managers at the Old Greyhound, in New Street, told the Worcester News that landlord Marston's had ordered them to shut due to complaints about customers smoking in the seating area outside the pub, which is within Reindeer Court shopping centre.

Old Greyhound staff said that customers had long been smoking in that area but the new managers at Reindeer Court had enforced a ban.

They said Marston's decision to force them to close down had come as a huge shock and they did not know when they would be allowed to open again.

There has been a pub at the Old Greyhound site since 1766.

The Worcester News has contacted Marston's and Reindeer Court for a statement and is awaiting a response.