Families in Manchester have criticised the parents of a child allowed to use a potty in the middle of a busy pub.

The M.E.N reported earlier today how a youngster reportedly went to the toilet in full view of other families eating in the venue on Saturday night.

A diner who witnessed the incident posted about it on the Mumsnet website and questioned whether she was being unreasonable to be 'shocked' by what she saw.

Our Manchester Family Facebook page asked parents for their views, with many describing it as 'disgusting'. Others defended the move though, saying people shouldn't be shocked by it.

Now dozens more of you have had a say.

Mum Nicola Collins said: "That's just being lazy. When my two were being potty trained I used to take a training seat every everywhere.

"This would have put me off my food and I would have complained to the owners of the restaurant/pub for letting the parents do this."

Marion Tenpeny said: "Disgusting. Just laziness. Why didn't they take it to the toilets and let them use it there. I can't believe this really happened."

Others said they have seen worse themselves - with parents changing nappies on cafe tables.

Catherine Spencer said: "I had a coffee shop job once where a mother decided to change her baby's nappy at the table.

"We actually did have baby changing facilities and explained that to her but no, she decided to use the table.

"The smell cleared out the cafe and my boss went mad. I know new parents are tired but really? I'll not even go into the massive issue with food hygiene.

"The sense of entitlement one must have to do that is unbelievable. Give the poor kids some privacy."

Brian Sheeran added: "I was at a cafe in Morecambe. The owner put a potty on the counter and then lifted his toddler onto it."

But not everyone was critical of the incident, wit some saying they have had to use a potty in public.

Janine Lily Pennington-Marsh said parents shouldn't be so quick to judge.

She said: "Why are we judging another mother? I took my son's potty everywhere when training him, of course it would be nice out of sight but I'd hardly call it 'shocking'.

"If you are shocked by this then maybe you need to get out more. For all we know the child could be autistic etc and that's the only way they could get them to use the potty.

"It would not bother me at all if I was there eating, as long as the contents are removed straight away. Parenting is hard enough without being judged all the time."

Gemma Louise Pearson said: "We went to Blackpool when our now four-year-old was potty training.

"The toilets were very far away from where we were so he used his potty. We just hid him.

"I have done the same when we have been out in town. It's natural and as long as it's discreet I don't see a problem."

Mum Zoe Mills added: "I take our potty everywhere. She's done it in Aldi on a few occasions - if she's gotta go she's gotta go."

Do you take a potty out in public? Would you ever let your child use it where people are dining? Let us know in the comments or share your views on our Manchester Family facebook page.