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A widower on a short break with his teenage daughter says he was shocked when hotel employees called police over fears he was a paedophile.

Craig Darwell, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, took his 13-year-old daughter, Millie, to Thorpe Park in Chertsey, Surrey, last week.

The pair checked into a Travelodge near the popular theme park, before Craig, 46, went back outside to move his car.

He then returned to the hotel's reception, but was allegedly asked by a manager for proof that he was Millie's dad.

(Image: google)

"He said it was company policy and I had to go onto Facebook to show messages I’ve sent to her," Craig told The Sun .

The dad, whose wife, Sarah, died of leukaemia around nine years ago, said he found the employee's request "really offensive".

And he was even more stunned when the manager allegedly told him he'd "already called the police" over fears for Millie's safety.

“I couldn’t believe it. Millie and I have stayed in lots of places over the years and this has never happened to me before," he said.

After officers arrived at the hotel, Craig said they quickly realised that the employee was mistaken and he was, indeed, Millie's dad.

(Image: Facebook)

However, he said his and Millie's short break had been "ruined" by the incident, which unfolded shortly after 8pm last Thursday.

A Travelodge spokesperson said the firm takes its "responsibilities towards protecting children and vulnerable young people extremely seriously".

They added: "Our colleagues are trained based on current national guidelines from the NSPCC, the police and other agencies and in the past, hotel team actions have led to successful intervention to protect young people.

"Clearly fine judgements have to be made and we deeply regret any distress or inconvenience caused to Mr.Darwell on this occasion.

"We are undertaking a full investigation into the circumstances and will take careful note of any lessons learned in due course, including additional training where appropriate.

(Image: Rex)

"In the meantime, we would like to apologise to Mr.Darwell for the situation he encountered and we will be making further contact with him as our investigation continues."

Surrey Police confirmed officers had been called to the Travelodge on Guildford Street after a "concern for safety".

A force spokesperson told Mirror Online: "Surrey Police were called by a member of staff at the Travelodge on Guildford Street in Chertsey on Thursday, 30 March just after 8pm following a concern for safety.

"Officers attended and made no arrests, no further enquiries will take place.

"Hotels, taxi companies and other licensed premises’ have recently been equipped with the right knowledge to identify children who could be at risk of exploitation under Operation Makesafe."

