'Tube chiefs copied my baby badge idea'

The badge to be worn by mothers-to-be on the Tube to encourage passengers to give up their seats was originally turned down by transport chiefs, it emerged today.

The idea was rejected after being suggested by Tube commuter Lynn Claxton early last year.

Tube chiefs made great play of their "Baby on Board" badge when it was launched last week. But in January last year, the idea that pregnant women display a card or badge spelling out their need of a seat seemed " impractical" to Richard Parry, London Underground's director of strategy and service development.

Ms Claxton had contacted the Mayor's office about a US scheme under which women receive an official card or badge which states: "I am pregnant and would very much appreciate it if you would offer me your seat - many thanks." Ms Claxton emailed Mayor Ken Livingstone's office to ask whether a similar scheme could be considered in London. This was forwarded to LU.

She was disappointed when the idea was turned down in a letter from Mr Parry, but last week a friend told her that the idea was being featured in the Standard.

By that time LU had changed its mind and announced that trials were to take place using "Baby on Board" badges. Ms Claxton, a City IT team leader, said: "After reading the article it dawned on me this was the scheme I had suggested. I did find that frustrating." LU was unable to say where the idea had come from.

A spokeswoman said: "We have been working on the idea for about 12 months. After we decided

to go ahead we wrote to Ms Claxton to say we were doing part of what she suggested."