A collector says he was banned from selling a 'racist' Robertson's jam golliwog badge on eBay - until he covered its head with a smiley face.

Trevor Crocker, 56, put the collectible pin from his childhood for up sale in a bid to make some money while having a clear out.

But he was baffled to when eBay sent a message telling him the one-inch pin 'promoted or glorified hatred, violence, racial or religious intolerance'.

The listing was removed by eBay - but Trevor was able to re-list it and successfully sell it when he covered the pin's 'face' with a smiley sticker.

Trevor Crocker (pictured with his son Harry) with the original image that was taken down, left, and the edited image that successfully sold for £18, right

Mr Crocker from Exeter, Devon, said: 'It is absolute nonsense what they are coming out with.

'We don't understand why they took it off in the first place.

'It was just a Golden Shred toy from the 1960s.

'They let us relist it, it sold for £18. Not bad for a little badge.

'We didn't think it would cause this much upset.

'eBay were making us feel we were racist.'

Mr Crocker said the badge had been listed under the name 'Vintage Robertertson's Golden Shred Cricketer Badge' when the row began.

But days later after attracting bids the item was removed and he received a message stating eBay prohibited the sale of any items featuring a golliwog doll.

A message said: 'We have made the decision to prohibit the same of golliwog dolls and many associated products from our site globally.'

A later email added: 'To ensure trust, respect and safety in our community we restrict our members from listing items that promote of glorify hatred, violence, racial or religious intolerance.

'eBay won't become a platform for those who promote hatred towards others.'

After placing a printed smiley face on top of the golliwog's head, Mr Crocker relisted it on his wife's account, where it sold for £18.

Mr Crocker, who claims he found racist books being sold on Ebay added: 'I am very unhappy with the fact that they say they are against racism and discrimination but will happily allow racist books to be sold but not a badge.

'The rules are a bit backwards in my opinion.

'The fact that eBay won't allow vintage advertising is wrong and needs to change.'

eBay sent a message telling him the one-inch pin 'promoted or glorified hatred, violence, racial or religious intolerance'

Jam manufacturer James Robertson & Sons used a golliwog called Golly as its mascot from 1910 and gave away Golly badges and plaster figures until 2001.

Yesterday, there were hundreds of 'golly' and Robertson's Jam collectible items on eBay.

But a spokesperson for the selling site said: 'eBay's policy on offensive materials does not allow the sale of items promoting or commemorating hatred and violence.

'Items may not be permitted if they contravene this.

'eBay has over 800 million items for sale and in addition to our own efforts, reports from our community help to keep eBay free of listings of concern, which can be reported directly from the site.

'We conduct regular reviews of the site to find offensive materials and remove them as soon as they are identified.

'Anyone found to be knowingly selling items of this kind will be investigated and face action including account restrictions or suspension.'