Children wearing glasses banned from carnival bouncy castle over health and safety fears

But the “barmy” ruling – at the popular Irn-Bru Carnival in Glasgow – has angered parents who claim it’s unfair and discriminatory.

Organisers claim the precautionary measure is needed to ensure the safety of children wearing glasses.

But mum-of-two Christine Rooney last night hit out, saying the ban left her daughter Gracie, five, close to tears.

The office manager from Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, paid £50 for a family ticket for husband Martin, daughter Skye, nine, and Gracie.

Both girls were “excited” and looking forward to playing in the new inflatable area, only to find Gracie, who can only see properly with her glasses on, barred.

“We’ve been four years in a row but this is the first year they’ve had the inflatable play.

“But when we got to the front of the queue, Gracie was told she couldn’t go in if she didn’t take off her glasses.

“The guy said it had something to do with insurance. We couldn’t believe it.

“She can’t see without them and we were forced to turn back.”

The disappointed family approached festival organisers QD Events asking them to explain the snub.

Bosses at the SECC event – a hugely-popular funfair which runs annually throughout December and into January – confirmed the specs ban, explaining wearing them was seen as a health and safety danger because if they broke it could put other kids at risk.

Christine added: “It would be more a danger if I had let Gracie go in the area without her glasses on. They’ve banned specs but there doesn’t seem to be any restrictions on children wearing things like earrings.

“Having to wear glasses can mean kids are stigmatised by their peers – they shouldn’t have to put up with authorities singling them out too.”

Scottish Conservative Chief Whip John Lamont said: “This is clearly an excessive step which should be reconsidered.

“It’s unnecessary, and threatens to ostracise children for no other reason than they have to wear glasses.”

One of the bodies that represents opticians in the UK said there was “no evidence to suggest wearing glasses” significantly increases the chances of injuries.

Broxburn-based optician Barry Duncan of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, said: “We simply cannot have this going on. How on earth must the child have felt?

“It causes me great concern that companies have come to conclusions without consultation.

“Potentially this child might be wearing the most robust spectacles lenses available, suitable for working in a factory environment using heavy machinery.

“We would welcome a meeting with organisers to offer an insight on these draconian measures.”

According to the Irn-Bru Carnival website the Inflatable Play Area is “our new hall featuring slides, bouncy castles, soft play for under-1s.

“This area is for children up to the age of 12 years old and under 1.5m tall (must be accompanied by an adult).

“For a full list of our rules of play, please see below!”

However, there is no mention of a ban anywhere on the page on kids wearing specs.

A spokeswoman for QD Events defended the glasses ban on the six bouncy castles and rides in the new zone.

She added there were no similar restrictions in other parts of the carnival.

Fran McIntyre, Managing Director of QD Events, said: “We apologise for disappointing the Rooney family.

“In line with health and safety regulations, our policy is that children are not allowed on any inflatable rides while wearing glasses.

“We will be offering the family a full refund.”