A YOUNG breast cancer sufferer was ordered to leave a pub in Boscombe for refusing to take her hat off.

Nicola McNulty, 28, lost her hair after finishing a course of chemotherapy six weeks ago and prefers to wear head gear as it grows back. She is now undergoing radiotherapy.

During the tough medical treatment she had stayed in the comfort of her own home and has only just started going out again.

Mrs McNulty says she was extremely upset after the manager of Greens Bar in Boscombe precinct ordered her to remove her beret. Despite explaining the situation, staff would not back down.

The financial systems technician for Dorset Health Care said: "I told them that I had breast cancer and had just come out of chemo, but the woman still asked me to leave. She was incredibly rude and insensitive.

"I was very upset by my treatment as I had been stuck indoors for months and only just started venturing out again."

Mrs McNulty added: "I have had this happen to me in another public house, but once I explained it was fine to keep my hat on.

"They Greens Bar have this 'no-hat policy' but surely it could be left to a bit of thoughtful discretion.

"I would hate to think of other people being upset in this way when they are trying to fight a life-threatening disease - that is enough to contend with."

The staff at Greens Bar told the Echo: "We let anyone keep their hat on if it's for medical reasons."

Clive Smith, a spokesman for Eldridge Pope pubs, apologised for the "very unfortunate" occurrence but said if the manager had allowed Mrs McNulty to wear a hat other customers could have accused her of discrimination.

Mr Smith added: "The manager may well have found herself in the embarrassing situation of having to defend her decision to other customers by revealing that the lady had a serious illness which she did not consider she had the right to do."

First published: October 27