A Christian bookshop has denied reports that a woman was not served because she was a Roman Catholic.

The woman, Muriel Swan, was attempting to purchase a gift for her grandson's first communion.

A spokeswoman for the Mustard Seed bookshop in Gedling, Nottinghamshire admitted the shop did not stock Holy Communion cards for first communion but this was because it is a Protestant bookshop, not because it is anti-Catholic.

Swan told  the Nottingham Post that she was offended when she was told by staff at the shop that they do not stock Catholic literature and goods. "We asked the lady in the shop if she had anything for first communion and the reaction we received left us reeling," she said.

The spokeswoman for the Mustard Seed told Christian Today: "The truth is in Jesus Christ." She declined to comment further.

The Mustard Seed, which has been running for more than 30 years, was taken over by Chris Stala in 1996.

She told the Nottingham Post: "We are Protestant – not Catholic.The bottom line is that if you want Catholic things go to a Catholic shop.

"The complaint is ridiculous and it's just logical you won't get Catholic things here.If you want Catholic goods you go to a Catholic store.

"We are not anti-Catholic in any way. I am a Christian and she is too but we are part of different sects. You would not get Jehovah's Witnesses coming here either.

"We don't advertise as a Protestant shop but people who come here just know."