A MIX up at a cafe which refused to serve an 81-year-old blind man because he had a guide dog with him has been resolved with a free cup of coffee and a sandwich.

Mr Les Clarke and his dog Amos were looking forward to a rest and refreshment at newly opened Deli Heath Cafe, High Road, Bushey, on Sunday morning, when he was told dogs were not allowed.

Mr Clarke, of Catsey Lane, Bushey, suffers from a condition called Macular Degeneration which means he is completely blind in his right eye and can barely see out of the other.

The retired chauffeur, originally from Lowestoft, said he could not believe the attitude of the staff of the cafe, which had only opened the day before.

He said: "I asked for a coffee and a cake and he said 'not with a dog'."

Mr Clarke said he explained the law to the assistant, that under the 1996 Discrimination Act guide dogs were allowed in such places, and offered him a freephone number to confirm what he said.

Mr Clarke said: "They said I could have a coffee to take away. Can you imagine a blind person carrying a coffee in one hand and a guide dog with the other?

"He is no trouble. He just sits under the table. I have had people come up to me and not even know he was there."

Cafe owner Mr Ben Mendoza said it was a regrettable incident as he had told Mr Clarke he was welcome just the day before.

On Tuesday Mr Mendoza had cleared the matter up and offered Mr Clarke refreshments on the house.

He said: "We had been looking for him for two days. I saw him today Tuesday and apologised.

"It was our second day and the guys I have working for us were unsure of the law but Les has come in now.

"I am glad I saw him. He is a really nice guy. I saw him myself on Saturday and he asked if we have a problem with guide dogs. I said "no" and he came back on the Sunday, but unfortunately I was not here."

July 9, 2002 16:00