A council has reversed its decision to ban a mother from accompanying her diabetic daughter to a Christmas party.

At a meeting on Tuesday night, Hellesdon Parish Council decided to revoke their decision on barring a mother from taking her five-year-old daughter to their party on Saturday – but only after banning the Norwich Evening News and Eastern Daily Press from the meeting.

Sam Dade was told she could not take daughter Tilly-Rose to the party because she was not CRB checked by them.

'They need to have a more inclusive policy,' she said. 'That is what I wanted to achieve.'

The 40-year-old child minder said it did not seem right to go to the party now, but they would be delighted to go next year.

In a statement released yesterday, the council said: 'This was the first opportunity the full parish council have had to discuss the matter.

'To protect all parties in this issue the item was discussed after the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting room.

'The parish council is very sad that this situation arose and wishes to apologise to Mrs Dade and her family for any distress.'

The council said the decision had been made following changes to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

Norwich North MP Chloe Smith, who took up Mrs Dade's case, said: 'This is a very sorry saga, but I'm pleased to see that the council has seen sense.'

Ms Smith has written to Home Office ministers to clarify the position on CRB checks.