A CARDIGAN care worker was left upset and angry after being refused service by a town store when she tried to buy a new pair of shoes for work.

Community care worker Chantal Poole broke her shoes while at work and went to the B&M store to replace them.

However, she was told she could not buy them as they were considered non-essential.

Husband Marc said: “My wife’s job is hard work, made harder by the current situation and she has been wearing a mask to work for weeks to protect clients.

“She explained in the shop her shoes had broken and she had to return to work in matter of hours but to no avail.

“We could have bought a lawn chair or child’s scooter but not the shoes she needs. She was upset and angry and a little humiliated. This is supposed to be a time we support our health workers and this town pulls together.

“This made us so angry”

A spokesperson at B&M said the company “apologised for the misunderstanding” and the Pooles have subsequently received an email offering a “sincere apology” and a £25 voucher.

The email added: “It is not acceptable for anyone to leave the store feeling as you did and does not represent our level of service.”