Ref. 22093/1A PREGNANT mum and her young son were refused entry to a stately home after she was told she could not pay by credit card.

Giulia Baker, 37, of French Horn Cottages, Codford, had hoped to give her 14-month-old son Max a special treat by visiting Wilton House on Thursday.

Instead she was left to deal with a screaming toddler in the hot sun after the day out turned into a disaster.

Mrs Baker had phoned Wilton House a few days before Thursday's visit to ask if she could pay by credit card and was told that this would not be a problem. But when she arrived she was told that her £4 admission fee was too small to be processed by credit card.

Mrs Baker has criticised Wilton House for the poor treatment she and Max received.

She said: "It was just so frustrating in the hot weather. They wouldn't let me in and I was left with a screaming toddler. It was supposed to be a special occasion."

Mrs Baker, a former teacher, said if Wilton House had informed her fully about their payment policy she could have visited a cash point beforehand.

"I said I would pay for a book to make up the cost. I was told this wouldn't work, as it would be on a different till," she said.

"Had I known I could have got some cash earlier, but that was not what they told me on the phone."

Chris Rolfe, deputy estate director at Wilton House, said he had written to Mrs Baker, saying he would look into the problem.

He said: "I have told staff to use their discretion. As a result of Mrs Baker's complaint we will look into the structure of our till system.

"We have a minimum credit card transaction of £5. We have one till which is programmed for admission and the shop merchandise is all dealt with by another till."

Mr Rolfe said he has sent Mrs Baker two complimentary tickets to the house and grounds.