A SOLDIER who is set to go to Afghanistan was told to cover up his uniform on Remembrance Sunday by staff at a Sidcup restaurant.

George Flett, an ex-serviceman who served in the army for 10 years, had been to a memorial service at St John's Church, in Church Road, Sidcup, with the 22-year-old soldier.

The pair then headed to the Horse and Groom Harvester, in Main Road, to meet Mr Flett's son for a drink.

Mr Flett, 62, said: "We got in there with no problem.

"We just got a couple mouthfuls into our beer when the manager came over and asked him to cover up his uniform. He said it was against the law."

Mr Flett, from Sidcup, added: "I looked at my friend's face, he was gutted and we couldn't believe it.

"He's a young man who's going to go to Afghanistan to fight for all of us - it's not fair."

Mr Flett says his friends were "outraged" when they found out what happened.

He told News Shopper: "On that particular day it was disrespectful - not just to that young soldier who felt an inch tall, but it's disrespectful to the uniform, which upsets me.

"We were astounded. It's jaw-dropping stuff, you don't expect it."

Paul Molloy, 59, works at Sidcup Working Man's Club and his daughter is the soldier's girlfriend.

He said: "They went to the Harvester just to quickly wet the whistle before they came to the club.

"What would happen if two or three 85 year olds walked in with a chest full of medals, would they be refused if they didn't cover up?

"I'm outraged."

A spokeswoman for the Horse and Groom said: "This was a genuine mistake.

"We welcome uniformed Armed Forces into Harvester restaurants.

"We apologise for any offence caused and we will raise this issue with the restaurant team to ensure they fully understand our policy."