Half of children experience age discrimination

The survey, carried out by ICM for the Children's Rights Alliance for England (Crae) found that 49 per cent of seven- to 17-year-olds said they have been treated unfairly because of their age.

Around a quarter of the same age group say they are treated unfairly during everyday activities such as shopping or using public transport.

Around one in five experienced discrimination while visiting a café or using local sports facilities.

Carolyne Willow, Crae's national co-ordinator, said: "When children whose parents are at work are turned away by the ambulance service, or buses drive past parents with pushchairs, or sixth-formers celebrating exams are forced to pay upfront in a restaurant, this causes offence and upset to the whole family."

She is calling for a new law banning age discrimination in the UK saying that similar legislation in Australia has proved effective in protecting young people."