A man claims he was thrown out of the John Russell Fox pub in Andover for wearing a Christmas hat

The man, who did not wish to be named, claims he and his 13 friends visited the pub dressed in festive outfits when a doorman asked one of the group to remove their Santa hat.

They protested and asked if they could speak to the manager of the John Russell Fox Wetherspoon’s pub in Andover.

But they were reportedly told the manager “didn’t want hats worn in the pub” before one man was escorted out of the door by security staff.

It comes after the pub was accused of racism last week after a Welsh Rugby fan was asked to remove his national jersey while drinking in the pub.

Talking about the incident, which happened in December, the man said: “Admittedly I was annoyed, probably sarcastic, but not rude or aggressive.

“I asked him his name, he pointed to his badge and told me “Manager”, again I asked him, “Manager you can call me manager” he said.

“The manager then said to the security man, “This is why I hate Christmas, idiots like this, one time drinkers.”

“But I was a regular visitor to this venue!”

After he was thrown out, the man was told he was “banned for life” and was refused entry to the town’s other watering holes - who had been advised by the pub’s security staff.

The man later called head-office to complain but claims he "got nowhere" before trying to apologise to the pub in an attempt to get his ban lifted.

However his efforts were in vein as he claims the ban is still in place - which he believes is “totally over-the-top.”

A spokesman for Wetherspoon responded to the allegations, saying: “The man was asked to leave and subsequently barred as a result of his aggressive behaviour to staff.”