Tags to deter shoplifters are creating a headache - and embarrassment - for young mums.

When they wheel their prams into and out of shops with electronic security gates the alarm system activates.

The problem is particularly bad in Witney - where mothers have complained about being mistaken for thieves.

At one store, Superdrug in the town's Woolgate Centre, both Emma Clayton and Naomi Skingsley have had their shopping bags and handbags searched for shoplifted goods.

Emma, 24, of Stow Avenue, Witney, said: "It's happened so often now that I don't want to take a pram into Witney to do my shopping.

"My daughter Isabel is only seven months old but nearly a stone and-a-half and I can't carry her around."

The latest incident took place after she had bought a birthday present in Dentons toy shop and went on to Superdrug.

She collected some nappies and wipes and paid for them at the checkout, but when she wheeled the pram out of the shop the alarm went off.

"I went bright red from embarrassment. The counter lady scanned everything I had and as I walked out the door again the alarm still went off.

"I had to give each bag, including my handbag over for a detailed search.

"It is obvious the alarm system is too sensitive and if they keep going off then they will just ignore the alarm when there might be a thief about."

Naomi Skingsley, of Bourton Close, Witney, has the same problem when she takes her pram into shops with two-year-old Ella on board.

She said: "It's really embarrassing when the alarm goes off. People immediately think you're a shoplifter. They should do something about it."

Sarah Parker, of Waddards Meadow, Witney, mother of 18-month-old Tammy, has had similar problems at other high street stores, including New Look and Woolworths.

A spokesman for the Superdrug store said: "Whatever is setting off the alarm must be on the pram. Maybe it's not been detagged."

At Witney's Woolgate Centre manager Rodney Hartnell said he would bring the matter up at next month's meeting with tenants.

Tagging came into the retail industry in the 1990s to combat the billion pound losses from shoplifting.