A NATIONAL pub chain landed the jackpot in a bid to overcome a local gaming restriction at a North-East city centre bar.

JD Wetherspoons appealed yesterday against refusal of permission for a third prize amusement machine at its William Jameson outlet in Sunderland.

The city's licensing justices had refused an application for a third machine, as it conflicted with a general policy of only two per pub.

Andrew Muir, representing JD Wetherspoons, claimed figures showed use of the existing two at the pub far exceeds the national average.

Judge Gerald Harkins said the decision was taken in isolation, and hoped it would not "drive a coach and horses" through the justices' general gaming policy restriction