A PENSIONER says he felt humiliated and embarrassed when he was asked to leave a cinema session exclusively for mothers and babies.

Film buff Alan Cunningham, 70, thought the 10.30am 3-D screening of Gulliver’s Travels at the Odeon, MetroCentre, Gateshead, was open to all and there was no mention of the restriction when he bought his ticket.

But ten minutes before the start of the film an employee came over and said he would have to leave.

Mr Cunningham, a retired chemist, who lives with his sister in Pont Bungalows, Leadgate, near Consett, County Durham, said: “He said it was company policy that the 10.30am screening is strictly for mothers and babies.

“He was very courteous, offering me seats at other times, but I was embarrassed and humiliated and I went to the pay box and got my money back.

“There was no mention at the box office, or in the papers listing the film, that it was for mothers and babies only, and I was able to buy a ticket and go in.

“I have been to 10.30am screenings before and this has never happened.

“It is the first time I have heard of this policy. I don’t know what they were expecting a 70-year-old to do.

“When I left there were just a couple of mothers and children in the cinema.”

A spokeswoman for the company said there had been a mix-up and Mr Cunningham should not have been given a ticket for the Odeon Newbies session.

She said: “Odeon operates a policy whereby Odeon Newbies screenings are held exclusively for parents and carers with new babies.

“Unfortunately, Mr Cunningham was incorrectly sold a ticket for a Newbies screening of Gulliver’s Travels at Odeon MetroCentre on Tuesday, January 4.

“Mr Cunningham was offered a full refund or a complimentary ticket at the time and the offer still stands should he wish to visit the cinema on another occasion.

“Odeon MetroCentre would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

The cinema will ensure all guests booking Newbies tickets are informed of the policy going forward.”