I WAS visiting my local store in my home town and I had purchased several items including four cans of lager. Upon reaching the checkout I was prohibited from buying the alcohol because I was in the company of my 18 year-old son.

Although he wasn't purchasing the alcohol and it wasn't for his consumption, as he didn't have ID on him I was refused the sale. I, the customer, had ID but this apparently was not sufficient to determine my intentions to the customer assistant.

I have two other sons aged 17 and 15, who also accompany me on occasions. If I wish to purchase alcohol in their company will I be prohibited from doing so?

I have been subject to this over zealous self policing before in this store as my eldest son was carrying the basket in which alcohol was contained. Since then I have ensured that I carry the shopping basket but apparently this is still not good enough.

Presumably all parents are asked for their children's ID when purchasing alcohol. As the law stands I believe children from the age of five years can consume alcohol in their homes. As a responsible parent I cannot condone this.

 I believed the customer is always right. If I cannot be trusted to shop in this store responsibly then I refuse to shop there at all. Incidently,  I walked out of the store without making a purchase and took my custom to a different store.

I understand retailers have a duty of care when selling age-related products but I believe their attitude was over the top on this occasion. I do not expect to be interrogated upon my purchases, and I do not routinely carry ID for my children. I bring them up to know right from wrong and do not expect the store to challenge me upon my parenting skills.

Not only do I buy food from the store I have also used the travel agent instore to book a holiday to Florida costing several thousands of pounds and regularly use the pharmacy. I even purchased my fridge freezer online. I will now reconsider my position as a customer.

I wish to inform the store how humiliated and upset this incident has made me feel. I didn't support the application for another big name store to come to the town but now feel a bit of competition may not be a bad thing.

– Cathy Elmer.