A grandfather has attacked rampant political correctness" at a swimming pool, after he was not allowed to take a family photograph.

Keen photographer Bill Cosgrave, of Roman Way, Wantage, is furious that he was stopped from photographing his 18-month-old granddaughter Charlotte Andrews at Didcot Wave Leisure Pool.

Mr Cosgrave, 60, who is technical director of a pre-school children's physical play programme, was dismayed when an attendant pointed out a notice saying it was forbidden to use cameras on the premises. Pool managers claim taking photographs would breach child protection legislation. But Mr Cosgrave remains unconvinced.

He said: "I was shocked but did what she said. It is political correctness gone mad. I can take a picture of my granddaughter in the park but not in the pool.

"It would have made a beautiful picture and would not have been indecent. I think staff are being too over-sensitive.

"I have been involved with children's groups through my work around the country, but have never heard of a rule like this before. I contacted the NSPCC and the Children's Society and both told me they had never heard of such a rule." A spokesman for the Children's Legal Centre in London agreed.

He said: "The pool attendant was probably concerned for the privacy of the other children in the pool and may have over-reacted. The swimming pool owners are entitled to make reasonable rules that relate to the use of their property."

Jennie Bycroft, contract manager at Didcot Wave, said the camera ban existed to protect youngsters from paedophiles.

She said: "We don't want 'peeping Toms' and have got to be extra vigilant. We are not trying to stop people having fun, but need to protect all our customers. Some parents might not wish to have people take pictures of their children in the pool.

If someone wants to take pictures of their children then that is fine, but they must make prior arrangements with the management so we can record their details.