A petrol station will put up a new sign after a disabled child was turned away by staff.

Karsten Bulner and his three-year old son Leon, who has moderate to severe autism, tried to go into Weyhill Service Station on Sunday evening when they were turned away because of Leon’s assistance dog, Fern.

Staff said that the store allowed “no dogs, end of”, but when he came back the next day to speak to the manager, only guide dogs who assisted blind or deaf people were allowed in, because of hygiene reasons.

This was, according to the manager, “Londis law”.

However, when the Advertiser contacted JP&S Services, the company that run the store, the Area Manager said he was “appalled” at the events.

“I have viewed the video attachments and I am appalled at the way this was handled by the staff on site,” said Vas Mohanathas in a letter to Karsten, seen by the Advertiser.

“I have forwarded the videos to the Director as well and discussed my concerns with him. Please take assurance in knowing that he feels the same way about this as you and I and has asked me to action the investigation and staff training immediately.”

In response, the company have said they will be putting up a new sign saying “assistance dogs allowed”, as well as donating to a local guide dog charity and giving out free dog treats to guide and assistance dogs.

“I have no doubt in believing that this will create further awareness in the local area.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience while we handle this,” the letter continued.

“It’s very kind of you to say that you do not want the staff in trouble and that you are merely raising awareness of lack of training; therefore we are making the staff training our priority.

“I fully appreciate and understand the trouble and hardship that you and your family have had to go though in getting Fern trained and ready to support Leon.

“We have been in this business for 20 years, our director has been in this industry for over 30 years, and this is the first time that we’ve come across an issue such as this.

“As embarrassing as this is to us, we’d like to thank you for bring this to our attention, as this enables us to fix an obvious gap in the staff training.”

Mr Mohanathas said that he was planning on meeting Karsten, Leon and Fern in store soon.