Two grandmothers on mobility scooters have been banned from visiting their local shopping centre in Leicester for stealing kitchen roll.

Lillian Clarke and Margaret Yates who are both aged in their 70s say they have been told they can't return to the Britannia Centre in Hinckley because they forgot to pay for the packet.

I went back to pay for them the next day when I realised, but next time I went to go in with Margaret we were accused of stealing. I went to get two scratchcards and as I came away from the till the manager came up to me and said that I was barred. Then the next thing is we are barred from the whole of the Britannia Centre.”

– LILLIAN CLARKE

They say they were told they were told by staff they were a nuisance on their scooters. Credit: BPM Media

Lillian said she was told by a staff member at centre that she and Mrs Yates were a nuisance on their scooters.

This ordeal has made me ill. I suffer with my nerves as it is and it upsets me that I can’t go there to do my shopping. We go to all the shops in there and everyone loves us. We’ve not done anything wrong.”

– MARGARET YATES

Their mobility scooters are emblazoned with signs for their alter-egos Credit: BPM Media

The pair have tried entering the centre since the ban but claim they were chased out.

A spokesman for the shopping centre said the ban must remain in place because if anyone is caught shoplifting they are automatically banned.

They are still welcomed elsewhere on the high street though in their mobility scooters emblazoned with signs for their alter-egos – the Silver Lady and Scarlet Woman – and heart-shaped badges on the back saying “Love is all you need.”

Their heart-shaped badges on the back of their mobility scooters Credit: BPM Media