A disabled man with the mental age of seven has been stopped from visiting Legoland with his carer because of ‘child protection’ policies.

Simon Thomason, 40, who has cerebral palsy, autism and a mental age of seven, has been told his annual pass to the Trafford Centre-based attraction will not be renewed.

Bosses at Legoland Discovery Centre say they have a policy of refusing entry to adults without children and have defended their decision to turn away Simon, who was accompanied by an adult carer.

But families and disability campaigners have slammed the policy as ‘discrimination’ and say it effectively bans their childless relatives from the attraction.

Simon’s sister Paula Thomason, 41, from Irlam, bought the £60 annual pass for her brother Simon last year after explaining his condition to staff.

But after seven months of weekly visits Simon was told he was no longer welcome due to ‘child protection’.

He was instead offered a pass for alternative venues run by parent group Merlin Attractions elsewhere in the UK.

When Paula argued this was unfair, management said they would honour the last five months on the pass but it would not be renewed. The family also now have to email in advance before he can visit.

And in another case, a 20-year-old man with learning disabilities and his carer were also refused entry.

Elaine Lewis’s son Anthony, 20, who has Williams Syndrome and the mental age of six, was also turned away when he tried to visit this week.

Anthony’s carer was also told adults without children were not allowed entry.

Elaine, from Gatley, Stockport, said: “The ridiculous thing is Anthony would be allowed in if he went with a child - but neither would be able to look after each other.

“He just wants to go and play with the Lego and look at the models.”

Clare Lucas, activism lead at charity Mencap, also slammed the decision. She said: “It is unfortunate Legoland Discovery’s policy has had a negative effect on someone with a learning disability who wanted to go out and access leisure activities many people take for granted.

But a spokesman for Legoland Discovery Centre defended the policy and said the venue ran regular evening events for adults.

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He said: “Our policy not to permit entry to groups of adults, adult couples, or lone adults, regardless of circumstances, who are not accompanied by a child or children under the age of 16 is we believe therefore appropriate and the best way to constantly maintain a welcoming environment for our young visitors.

“We make no apologies for this policy and believe it to be reasonable and appropriate, and one on which we make no exceptions.

“That said, we also very much appreciate the continuing appeal that Lego has for all ages, and it has never been our intention to deny access to our adult fans, or cause distress to anyone.

“That is why we regularly host evening events specifically for adults in order to showcase specific attractions within the centre and these are very well attended.

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“We hope very much that all adult guests will join us at one of these sessions and we are sure that he would very much enjoy it.

“However if an evening event is difficult for him to attend then if his family make contact we would be happy to agree a time when one of our managers is available to show him around.”

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