Great-grandmum's pool photo ban

A great-grandmother was banned from photographing her family in a public swimming pool - in case she was a pervert.

Joyce Freeman had gone to Bedford's Oasis Pool with son Norman, granddaughter Jackie, 18, grandson Glen, seven, and 10-month-old great-granddaughter Robyn.

As she stood on the side, taking pictures of Jackie and Robyn in the water, she was confronted by a pool attendant who told her photography was banned to protect children from perverts.

Mrs Freeman, of Sharnbrook, Beds., said: "At first I could not believe my ears. It completely shook me and I felt a bit insulted.

"I can appreciate why the rule is in force but surely they could have shown a bit of common sense. It ruined a lovely family day out."

A spokesman for Bedford borough council, which operates the pool, said: "We don't allow photography in any of our swimming pools. This is common practice among leisure centres."

The incident comes after grandfather Robert Mannion was ordered to stop filming his granddaughter Georgia's sixth birthday party in a pub garden in Christchurch, Dorset.

Pub staff told Dr Mannion, 56, of Bournemouth, to switch off the camera because other families might object to a stranger filming their children.