Baby is refused St David's photo

Ayarun Nessa and her son Umar Chowdhuri

A mother is complaining about her baby son being refused a free photo at a St David's Day event because his daffodil did not comply with the costume rules.

Ayarun Nessa took six-month-old Umar Chowdhuri to Swansea Market for the free snap courtesy of the city council.

But after queuing up, the photographer refused to take a picture as the child was not wearing red or a rugby top.

The council said the rules were clear, more than 1,000 children took part, and it was unaware of any other complaints.

She was advised that she could have the photograph taken if she dressed her child in similar fashion to the other children who were there Swansea Council

Mrs Nessa, of Hafod, Swansea, said they had queued up for 15 minutes after she had bought the daffodil - one of the traditional emblems of Wales.

"It was a way for me to show Umar when he was older that he was taking part in St David's Day," she said.

"His roots and heritage are in Bangladesh but he was born here and I want him to participate in both cultures.

"There were about 10 to 15 parents in front of me. The majority had girls in Welsh costume. The boys were wearing rugby tops.

'Speechless'

"When it was my turn I just walked towards the chair and he told me not to sit down because he would not be able to take the picture. He said he (Umar) had to have a Welsh rugby top.

"I was shocked. For a couple of seconds I was speechless. It was very embarrassing in front of all the other people."

A council spokesman said: "Posters and other literature invite parents to come along with their children dressed in red or the Welsh national costume.

"It is very clearly stated that in return for that they will get a free photograph.

"Virtually everyone enters into the spirit of the event. Parents, including many with babies in their arms, are very happy with this offer and on Tuesday alone more than 1,000 free photographs were taken.

"Unfortunately, in this particular case the parent did not dress her child in red or in the national costume.

"She was advised that she could have the photograph taken if she dressed her child in similar fashion to the other children who were there.

"The decision she made is a matter for her."