A woman who publicly shamed Costa Coffee for not giving out free drinks to her poppy-selling Mum has been branded a symbol of 'entitled' Britain after her rant backfired.

Lisa McKavett wrote on Facebook that the coffee-chain had denied her 76-year-old Mum a free cup of tea when she'd asked for one last week.

She and a friend were selling poppies outside Asda and Sainsbury's in Burnley, Lancashire, where staff gave the pair "as much free tea and coffee as they wanted."

But when they moved to poppy selling outside Tesco, they asked staff in the Costa Coffee franchise inside, if the refreshments were free.

Lisa said her mother was left "upset" when told she'd definitely have to pay.

However, after taking to Facebook to vent, one user described her complaint as "entitled" and another said publicly shaming Costa as they didn't give out free drinks was a "scumbag move."

She was then further criticised for deleting comments that didn't back her point of view, before she deleted the post completely.

She said: "I have never been so ashamed. My mother of 76 and her friend have this week been selling poppies outside Asda and Sainsbury's and the staff as Asda gave them free tea and coffee as much as they wanted as did Sainsbury's.

"Today [Thursday] she was outside Burnley Tesco Costa Coffee selling poppies and went into Tesco Costa and asked if refreshment was complimentary the same as Asda and Sainsbury's."

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

She said she was told "in no uncertain terms, 'no', they would definitely have to pay and made it quite clear they were nothing to do with Tesco (we were aware of that)."

The people in the queue were "astonished" offering to buy them drinks. She added: "This isn't the issue, it's the principle!"

Lisa said they had been "stood in the cold and draughty doorways for the British Legion and for all those who have fallen in wars for us.

"Seriously ashamed at this and won't use Costa again," she added. "I hope you won't either. It's disgusting. And I know it's nothing to do with Tesco - it's Costa. It's the ways she was spoken to as well. Please share."

(Image: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

One poster said: "Why should they get free coffee? If they don't want to pay for it they can take a thermos or just take 'no' as an answer."

A Facebook user said: "Why are you blocking people and removing comments that are against your actions?"

Read more of today's top stories

Another said: "If people ask for freebies and are told 'no' they shouldn't shame a company or inidividual because of the answer they got."

And a separate poster said: "It's great that this lady's mum is selling poppies for such a good cause but I don't see why that means you can wander into shops and demand free stuff.

"What does Costa have to do with your charity work? The daughter moaning about this seems pretty entitled to me."

(Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

Costa Coffee said: "Costa Coffee fully supports the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal and has welcomed collection boxes and poppies within our stores.

"We were sorry to hear about the fundraisers' experience and we are hoping to speak to them directly.

"We are grateful for their work fundraising for the charity and hope to welcome them into a store for a free coffee and cake soon."

Lisa McKavett declined to comment on the row.

Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here . And you can follow us on Facebook here .