A MOTORCYCLIST has vowed he will never shop at his local store again after he was ordered to remove his helmet.

Maintenance worker Alf Houghton was shopping in the Blackburn Aldi last week when he was told to take off his headgear by a security guard.

The biker says he shops in the Montague Street store regularly and that the visor on his helmet was up meaning his face was clearly visible.

In a video now viewed nearly one million times on Facebook, the motorcyclist asks staff why he should have to remove his headwear, while other shoppers wearing veils and burkas do not.

The supermarket apologised to the 49-year-old for not dealing with the issue 'discreetly' – but said they had a clear policy on helmets.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The father-of-three said: “I’m in no way against people wearing veils and burkas, but I am against being asked to take my helmet off when the security man could see my whole face.

“My open-face helmet shows my whole face, it’s clear to see my identity. I’m just getting tired of double standards.”

In the video, which was captured on Mr Houghton’s bodycam, the manager can be seen telling the biker he can leave his helmet on, yet the security guard continues to contest the decision.

The maintenance worker added: “This same security guard has followed me on numerous occasions and I don’t know what his problem is.

“I spoke to the manager who said it was fine, but after everybody on the aisle looked at me I decided to put my groceries back and leave the store.

“I spend a lot of money with Aldi on tools and shopping and feel let down on this occasion which has left me feeling like I don’t want to go back to that store again.”

An Aldi spokesperson said: “Like in many other retailers, motorcyclists may be asked to either remove their helmets or lift up the visor when in store for security reasons.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

In an email to Mr Houghton, the supermarket added: "The store has CCTV in operation and to ensure the safety of our customers and store, the staff would ask any customer to make their face visible if needed so that CCTV could be viewed or used without any restriction.

"However, a more discreet approach should have been adhered to."

Mr Houghton’s experience came a week after a story about a Blackburn biker filling up at a petrol station appeared in the national press.

According to the reports, Liam Bradley, 48, was filling up his bike at the Shell garage at the Three Arches Spar shop in Feniscowles, when a message appeared on the LCD screen demanding he remove his helmet.

A row ensued with the petrol station when Mr Bradley argued that a woman next to him was left alone to use the petrol station despite the fact she had her full face covered.