School pupils have been banned from a Coventry supermarket after problems with shoplifting.
Youngsters under the age of 17 are being turned away from the Tesco Express store opposite Ernesford Grange School after complaints about theft and staff intimidation.
The move has angered many parents and pupils who said it is unfair to ban every child.
Mum Debbie Harries is furious at what she says is "discrimination".
The daytime ban was introduced for pupils aged under 17 who like to use the store before school and at lunchtime.
It is believed they are allowed in after school but some pupils say they have still been turned away later in the afternoon.
Mrs Harries' 16-year-old daughter, Toni, used to buy her lunch from the Quorn Way store along with all her friends.
Mrs Harries, 52, said,: ''You can ban someone for stealing but you can't ban someone because of their age. It's discrimination.
"When I called Tesco they told me it was because they had lost between pounds 1,000 and pounds 2,000 of stock in the last month in shoplifted sweets - and wine. All children are not the same, just like adults.
"If a child hasn't done anything wrong then they shouldn't be banned. It's demonising young people."
Mrs Harries, of Whiteside Close, Binley, says the ban forces pupils to buy junk food or more expensive school dinners. After making a complaint to Tesco's head office she received a voicemail message from a customer service. adviser confirming the daytime ban.
The Tesco representative said the ban is due to a "massive" shoplifting. problem at the store, just off Princethorpe Way. Toni and her friends are five weeks away from sitting their GCSE exams.
She said: "If we can't go there there's only the chip shop or Domino's Pizza. "The whole school have been banned - it's not fair."
A spokeswoman for Tesco insisted youngsters were allowed in during the day - but only if accompanied by an adult. The supermarket giant said the policy was a result of "bad behaviour" and staff being intimidated by school pupils.
Paddy Power, landlord at the Tiger Moth pub next door, pictured left, said: "My daughter goes to Ernesford Grange School so I don't want her barred. "I had heard that they had stopped kids going in but all they need to do is get some security. "Instead of banning the kids they should put someone local on the door."
The store does employ security guards but not during the day.
A statement from Tesco said: "Restricting access to our stores is always a last resort. "In this instance, we made the decision with the agreement of the school following a number of thefts and intimidation of our staff and customers, which we will not tolerate.
"We will continue to keep the situation under review."
Article from Coventry Telegraph