A couple have been barred from bringing their seven-week-old baby to a restaurant - unless he orders food from the menu.

Kevin Thornton and his wife Laura have hit out at licensing laws which prevent them taking their son William to some restaurants.

They were told after a meal at the Ha!Ha! Bar and Canteen in Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, they could not come back unless they left their son William at home.

Staff at Ha!Ha! said they were bound by the law which only allows children into restaurants with a bar if they eat a meal.

Because baby William cannot yet stomach solid food, he breaks the rule. So he is not welcome.

It means the Thorntons can no longer frequent their favourite restaurant which they said was ideal for babies because it had a no smoking area.

Architect Mr Thornton said: "I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. I thought it was a wind-up.

"This guy came over with a statement from the manager saying children can only come in if they eat something.

"My son won't be able to eat solid food for six months. Until then we are banned from the premises.

"I don't recall seeing any sign on the door saying babies are barred. It is absolutely bonkers."

When Mr Thornton had to return to work soon after William's birth, the couple decided to meet once a week in town for a nice lunch.

They had been to Ha!Ha! three times and enjoyed good food and excellent service.

Mr Thornton, of Mill Lane, Poynings, said: "We really liked eating there.

"William slept, we had a lovely time, we were quiet and didn't bother anyone.

"But now we will have to take our custom somewhere all three of us are welcome. We can't exactly leave him outside on the street."

Ha!Ha! managers told Mr Thornton they were legally obliged to keep William out if he did not eat off the menu.

The Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000 says under-18s are allowed on premises selling alcohol only if they stay at a table in a room separate to the bar, are accompanied by adults and are bought something to eat.

Mr Thornton said: "William cannot walk or run, so he meets the first rule. But he can't meet the second one and won't for five months.

"I understand that this is the law.

As a businessman I come across laws and rules ever day of my life.

"But laws are supposed to be applied with some semblance of common sense.

As with every rule in life, they have to be viewed on an individual basis.

"We have now started going to Havana's, which I presume is governed by the same licensing laws as Ha!Ha!.

But there William is made very welcome."

A spokeswoman for Ha!Ha! said: "We've recently applied for a public entertainment license and our advisors have made it clear it's an offence or under 14s to be in any area which constitutes a bar.

"There are exceptions to the law, including that children of any age may be present in an area which is set apart for the service of table meals - in our case, the canteen area.

"However, for this exception to be permitted, it clearly states all children must be accompanied by adults and must be eating a meal.

"Our policy is clearly displayed throughout Ha! Ha!. We are really not being obstructive, we are just bound by the law."