A SUPERMARKET refused to sell four cans of beer to a mother-of-two as she was out shopping with her 16-year-old nephew. Madeleine Morris, 38, believes supermarkets have inconsistent – and over the top – policies when it comes to selling alcohol. Ms Morri

A SUPERMARKET refused to sell four cans of beer to a mother-of-two as she was out shopping with her 16-year-old nephew.

Madeleine Morris, 38, believes supermarkets have inconsistent - and over the top - policies when it comes to selling alcohol.

Ms Morris was with her nephew Nathan Harman when she stopped to pick up some groceries, including four cans of lager, from the Co-operative store in Godmanchester.

"It's been a long time since I've been asked for proof of age - I'm 38 years old," said Ms Morris, of Merton Walk. "But then the cashier asked if she could have my nephew's ID. I said he didn't need ID because the beer wasn't for him - it was for me."

When the cashier explained that Nathan would need to show ID before the sale could go through, Ms Morris said she would take her nephew home and return to buy the beers alone.

"Then the woman told me that they would still not sell me any alcohol, even if I came back on my own," said Ms Morris. "I was livid - I couldn't believe it. I don't understand their policy because I have been in there before with my six-year-old son and they let me buy three bottles of wine. No one said anything to me. It's not consistent."

Ms Morris added: "If they thought I was buying the alcohol for my nephew, why would I have brought him into the store with me?"

The incident has put off Ms Morris from using the shop again.

"If they want to adopt that policy that is fine, but they have lost themselves a good customer.

A spokesman for The Co-operative said: "The Co-operative Group takes the issue of age-related sales extremely seriously.

"All our stores operate a Challenge 25 policy, where a potential purchaser of age-restricted products who appears to be under the age of 25 years should be asked to provide proof that they are 18 or over. If none can be provided then the sale must be refused.

"However, the manager will look into the circumstances surrounding this incident.