A Lidl shopper has said he was shocked after being told he was banned from his local supermarket.

Tony Weafer from Shirley could not believe his ears when he claimed a security guard said the company’s head office had barred him from coming into the Shirley Road store.

However, Lidl has denied the 72-year-old was ever banned - but warned customers are asked to speak to staff in a polite and respectful manner.

The incident came about after Tony has spent months campaigning to get bins installed outside the shop, by a flower bed used as a mini-tip.

Tony said: “Lidl promised to install two bins next to the flower bed and when I saw they weren’t there I went to speak to the duty manager to get an update on the matter.

“She explained it was her first day and apologised as she didn’t know anything about it.

“As I then went to leave the store, the security guard called me over. He told me that head office had communicated to him that I was banned from the store.”

After a heated exchange with the security guard, an upset Tony was left confused about whether he could go back.

But Lidl has since confirmed he has not been banned - and in another victory for the one-man refuse watchdog, the bins have been installed.

A Lidl spokesperson said: “Our colleagues take great pride in providing customers with a pleasant shopping environment, both in and out of our stores, with regular rubbish checks being made throughout the day.

“To help combat what appears to be a wider littering problem in the area, two new bins have been installed by the flowerbeds on the high street to encourage responsible waste disposal.”

They went on to say: “Playing a vital role within their local communities, colleagues work hard to ensure people have access to our affordable, quality products.

“Their welfare is of the upmost importance to us, and whilst any concerns brought to them will always be listened to and taken seriously, we always ask that customers interact with them in a polite and respectful manner.”