A friend who was at a nightclub with Shropshire father-of-two Darren Griffiths, pictured, on the day he died told a court that door staff assured him the situation was “under control”.

Mr Griffiths, 41, of Harmer Hill, near Shrewsbury, died following an incident at Liquid and Diva in Raven Meadows, Shrewsbury, on June 29.

Daryl Brown, 33, of Severn Drive, Wellington, who was second in command on the door staff, appeared for trial at Birmingham Crown Court, where he denies manslaughter.

Mark Turner, of Shrewsbury, told the jury that Mr Griffiths had been in “high spirits” following a successful charity event he had organised at Pengwern Boat Club.

He said: “I had been friends with Darren for 15 years as we were both mechanics and both members of Shrewsbury Rugby Club.

“That day he had been in very high spirits because he had organised a highly successful charity boat race and raised a good sum of money.”

Mr Turner said they went drinking in some of the town’s pubs.

“We then made our way to the Liquid and Diva nightclub in Raven Meadows, where we were told by a doorman that because I was wearing tracksuit trousers I was not going to be let in,” he said.

“Despite him falling over earlier in the night, Darren had no injury at all on his body.

“I put on a pair of jeans out of my kit bag I had with me and we approached the door staff again, but we were told we were too drunk to go in.

“A bit of banter took place and they took Darren inside but wouldn’t let me. I did push past a hand and saw him on the floor but wasn’t allowed back in.

“A member of the door staff then told me that the police had been called and it would be best if I made my way home.”

Brown’s trial had started on Wednesday but a jury was discharged. A new jury was sworn in yesterday. The trial continues.

By Andrew Morris