Single dad Andrew Gardiner was banned from a discount scheme for his toddler son Joshua - because he was a man.

Andrew asked to join the baby club at Tesco in Oxford Retail Park, Cowley. Members can collect points towards discounts on baby goods.

But Andrew, 21, of Iffley Road, Oxford, was told he could not become a member because he was not a mum.

After the Oxford Mail contacted the store, bosses said a mistake had been made and promised to investigate. They insisted single dads were entitled to join.

Andrew said: "I was disgusted when I was told I could not join and walked out. I couldn't see anything in the rules to say I was not eligible.

"Now I shop at Sainsbury, where I got a much better reception."

Andrew, a full-time dad since splitting up with Joshua's mum, added he had experienced problems in a number of stores in Oxford.

"It's difficult for dads. A lot of places turn you away, whereas they would not think twice about letting you use facilities if you were a mum.

"I am now considering forming a support group for single dads. There must be others out there experiencing the same difficulties."

Tesco customer services manager David Piper said: "If a single dad wants to join the Baby Club there should not be a problem and he has been given the wrong information.

"We will investigate in the store and make sure this does not happen in future."

Kamlesh Bahl, of the Equal Opportunities Commission, said: "It makes perfect sense that both mums and dads qualify - after all, both sexes are involved as parents."

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