A WOMAN on a Christmas shopping trip has spoken of her shock after being asked for proof of age ID – to buy a children’s Advent calendar.

Ellie Hargreaves, 28, was in Debenhams in Blackburn when she went to the till with a basket of items, including a chocolate Ben 10 Advent calendar.

Despite there being no alcohol content in the product she was surprised to be asked for ID.

Ellie, who works for the Lancashire Telegraph’s sister paper the Westmorland Gazette in Cumbria, said: “I was at the till in the kids section.

“I was trying to buy the advent calendar, which was a gift for a four-year-old and had a huge cartoon character on the front.

“I was utterly gobsmacked. I know I look very youthful for 28 but I couldn’t fathom why I needed to be 18 to buy a Ben Ten Advent calendar.

“Having said that – I use all the expensive face creams and I often get asked for ID when I’m on a night out!

“I also had some men’s underpants in my basket and at first I thought it was those that were being questioned but the lady on the till told me it was the Advent calendar.”

Ellie, of Giggleswick, North Yorkshire, was eventually able to leave the shop with the offending item after convincing the shop worker that she was old enough.

It is understood the cashier was confused by a reminder on the till to ask for ID for anyone buying alcoholic liquor chocolates.

A Debenhams spokesman said: “It was a mistake, pure and simple. You can buy any of our Advent calendars whether you are 10 or 110 without any ID.

“We would like to apologise for any embarrassment caused.”