Santa removed from Tamworth Smyths shop in photo dispute
A man dressed as Santa Claus said he was asked to leave a toy shop while buying presents.
Rob Bowker and Santa's Little Helpers were using £1,500 donated by people in Tamworth to buy toys for four families in Smyths on the Ventura retail park. However, he said he was escorted out by security, despite explaining why he was there. Smyths Toys said staff had thought he and a photographer had taken pictures without permission, but the company later agreed with Mr Bowker this was not the case. Mr Bowker said it was the second year he had run a collection for families who have ill children. He said he was told one child would be at the store on Monday, when the families were picking the gifts, and decided to say hello. However, he was approached by a security guard who asked him to leave. When he spoke to a manager, she told him he was not allowed to take photographs. "I said 'I'm not here to take any photographs, I'm here to buy the toys for the children'," Mr Bowker said. He said he had only intended to take pictures outside, to show to people who donated, but was approached by a shopper who asked to take a picture with her baby on her mobile phone. Mr Bowker said he had "no row" with the shop and still intended to return next year. Smyths said it had offered to donate toys to Birmingham Children's Hospital as a gesture of goodwill. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.