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TWO popular seaside restaurants have booted a customer out of their premises because of two tattoos on his neck.

Unemployed Andy Smith, 28, was enjoying a rare night out with his 27-year-old wife, Janeen, in Portrush on Friday night when they encountered difficulties.

He had a tattoo of his daughter's name, Emma on one side of his neck, and image of a lizard on the other.

The Coleraine couple went to Neptune and Prawn in the town but were quickly approached by a member of staff and advised they would have to leave.

Janeen explained: “We don’t get out very often and our wee boy was being looked after, so we thought we would take advantage of it.

“We went upstairs in Neptune and Prawn when a guy came over and said to my husband that he would have to leave because of his tattoos on his neck.

“Andy asked him could he stay if he put his jacket back on but the guy said he had already seen the tattoo so that wouldn’t be possible.

“I told him that I had a tattoo on my arm and asked whether that was okay and he said it was only tattoos on your neck and face that are a problem.”

The disappointed couple agreed to move on and made their way to the nearby Harbour Bar, which is also owned by Ramore Restaurants.

Janeen added: "We went in and ordered some drinks and Andy ordered some food.

“We were sitting having our drinks when the doorman came over and told us we would have to leave.

“We asked whether they had come over from the restaurant and told him we weren’t allowed in and he said they had.

“At that stage, Andy’s food arrived and I asked whether he could eat it before we left as he had already paid for it and the doorman let us stay on while Andy ate his food.

“We were really disappointed.

“We weren’t drunk, we weren’t being an inconvenience, we were just sitting minding our own business.

“We have been to Neptune and Prawn before and never had any problems.

“One of Andy’s tattoos is his daughter’s name and the other is of a lizard, so I don’t see how they could be offensive.

“Andy has had the tattoos for years and we’ve never had any problems before.

“It was just so disappointing.

“I am angry as well because people have been in touch with me since and told me they’ve been in Neptune and Prawn and they have a tattoo on their neck so I don’t know why they decided to throw us out on this occasion.”

The management from the restaurants has declined to comment.

When asked about the alleged incidents, a spokesman said: "No comment."