A BOSS is set to receive more than £1,000 from the hotel that banned his staff from their own Christmas party.

A 24-strong group from Bolton firm Diamond Flooring was refused entry to the nightspot because some of them had close-cropped hairstyles.

Now a judge at Blackburn County Court has ordered Bredbury Hall Hotel to pay the firm's director, Denver Thornton, the cash he had spent -- plus interest.

Mr Thornton said: "I felt sure we could win this case and we did. We're going to spend the money on another Christmas party for the staff. But we won't be going back to Bredbury Hall."

The court heard that Mr Thornton had pre-booked the Christmas party for his employees, whose ages ranged from 22 to 46.

But doormen refused to allow four members of the smartly-dressed group inside, saying their hair was too short.

The club, in Stockport, has a strict dress code banning anyone with tattoos, facial jewellery and unusual or close-cropped hair.

Mr Thornton had spent up to £650 for the night out, but the group had to stand outside Bredbury Hall Hotel for 40 minutes after recalling their taxis back from Bolton.

He then took everyone back to Bolton town centre for an Indian meal instead, at an extra cost of £400.

His wife Joanna said: "Everything had been pre-booked and paid for up front -- a meal, entry to the disco and six bottles of wine.

"When they said four people couldn't go in we couldn't believe our ears. It was ridiculous.

"We knew we had to fight it to get our money back. At least now we will be able to have a good party this year."

Copies of the Bolton Evening News containing the original article were produced in court.

Joanna said: "We greatly appreciate the newspaper highlighting this incident."

David Schofield, manager of Bredbury Hall, said he was unable to comment.