Supermarket staff told a stunned grandmother she could not buy a bottle of wine because she could not prove she was over 18.

Tina MacNaughton-Jones was left speechless when a Waitrose checkout attendant refused to serve her alcohol.

The 47-year-old could not persuade them to change their mind - even when her 22-year-old daughter told them: "That's my mum."

Today the supermarket apologised after the gaffe at its store in High Street, Worthing.

Ms MacNaughton-Jones, of Bruce Avenue, Worthing, had dropped into the shop on her way home.

She tried to buy a bottle of red wine to share with her family over dinner.

But the checkout worker refused to let her buy it because she could not prove she was of drinking age.

Ms MacNaughton-Jones's daughter, Fiona, 22, got her own ID out and tried to buy the wine - but was told they could not serve her in case she gave it to her mother.

Dog behaviour trainer Ms MacNaughton-Jones has two grandchildren.

She said: "It really threw me.

"The lady said, 'You should be flattered.' "I said to her, 'Are you having a laugh?'"

She said the checkout worker herself was in her late 40s.

She told The Argus Waitrose should rethink its policy to allow common sense to prevail.

Ms MacNaughton-Jones said: "Maybe they should all go to Specsavers.

"People say I look young for my age, but I don't look young enough not to be served alcohol.

"Talk about jobsworth - especially when she refused my daughter."

She went back and complained after being left embarrassed by the Friday night rejection.

But she added: "The manager didn't seem at all bothered."

Waitrose spokesman James Armstrong said: "As a responsible retailer, we work hard to ensure we only sell alcohol to those who are entitled to buy it.

"However, on this occasion, it appears we were a little over zealous and apologise for any embarrassment caused."

Many supermarkets have adopted a policy of routinely asking for proof of age from customers who look younger than 21.

In September checkout staff at Morrisons in West Kirby, Wirral, refused to serve a 72-year-old man who refused to provide proof of age.

Have you been turned away by shop staff? Leave your comments below.