A BAN on dogs in all Worcestershire Wetherspoons pubs has come into force.

The ban came in on Monday, after the pub chain made it national policy.

The new rule means canine lovers can no longer bring their dogs to the county's pubs which include the Crown and the Postal Order in Worcester, The Foley Arms in Malvern and the Old Swanne Inne in Evesham.

The chain say it will be strictly enforced, covering all canines except assistance dogs.

The company has had a no-dogs policy since shortly after it was founded almost 40 years ago, but said it had allowed "a few exceptions" in recent years.

Pub spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "Even well behaved dogs can be unpredictable."

He added that the family chain is mindful that "younger children in particular can be unpredictable around dogs and many are scared of dogs".

The ban will cover inside the pubs, as well as the outside areas.