Blind Dave Heeley turned away from West Bromwich restaurant with guide dog

Mr Heeley had hoped to enjoy a family meal out at Prezzo in New Square shopping centre, West Bromwich.

But when they arrived they were told by staff they could not dine at the restaurant accompanied by a dog.

Restaurant bosses have since apologised and have offered to make a £500 donation to his present charity cause, West Brom's charity, The Albion Foundation.

The 57-year-old, from West Bromwich, was with his wife Deb, daughters Grace, 24, Georgie-Lee, 13, and 12-year-old Dannie and his mother Anne on Bank Holiday Monday.

He had also taken his guide dog Seamus, a five year old German Shepherd, with him when the family arrived at around 5pm.

When his wife told the staff her husband was blind they still refused to admit them with the guide dog, said Mr Heeley, known as Blind Dave.

Mr Heeley said he was left stunned when the waitress asked the manager and they were still refused entry.

His daughter Grace searched the internet on her smartphone to find the relevant disability discrimination legislation - and only then did staff relent.

But Mr Heeley said after being made to stand at the door for 15 minutes he felt too humiliated to dine there.

"I was just flabbergasted when they said I couldn't come in with the guide dog. You just feel humiliated," he said.

"It has happened before I'm afraid to say but Prezzo is a national chain of restaurants. I'd have thought they would know. I accepted their apology and I hope they will stamp down on it with training for the staff."

He and his family instead went next door to the Harvester restaurant. "They were so nice. It was no problem for the manager and staff there," he said.

Prezzo spokesman Christian Poole said: "We apologise wholeheartedly to Mr Heeley. "Guide dogs for the blind and hearing dogs for the deaf are allowed in our restaurants and Mr Heeley should have been welcomed in with his dog in order to enjoy a meal.

"This was a genuine mistake by the staff member without malice.

"Following this incident we have reiterated to our staff that guests with guide dogs are welcome in our restaurants."

Mr Heeley recently become the first blind man to run the gruelling 160-mile Marathon Des Sables Sahara desert race to raise money for The Albion Foundation. His fundraising exploits led him to be given the freedom of the borough of Sandwell.