A PREGNANT woman was shocked at the attitude of an assistant when she asked to use the staff toilet in an opticians shop.

Gemma Daniels, aged 24, of Woodward Road, Pershore, went with her two-year-old daughter, Hannah, to Dollond and Aitchison in Evesham, to collect her contact lenses.

"While I was there, I asked to use their toilet, but the female assistant said they were not for customers' use," said Ms Daniels.

"I asked if they would make an exception for me, as I am seven-and-a-half months pregnant, but she said 'no'.

"I was shocked to be turned down point blank. Surely you are not meant to refuse a pregnant woman permission to use the toilet in an emergency?"

A spokesman for Wychavon District Council's environmental services department said that there was no legislation requiring shops to provide toilets for members of the public, unless they served food or drink. Dollond and Aitchison issued a statement saying: "While quality service is paramount at Dollond and Aitchison, we are bound by policy not to allow members of the public to use our private restrooms.

"Our company insurance does not extend to non-public areas of our branches, hence our customers would not be insured if anything were to happen to them in this area.

"The health and safety of our customers will continue to remain a priority, but we do apologise for any inconvenience caused," the statment said.