A TEENAGE girl was turned away from an upmarket shopping centre in Manchester - because she was dressed like Coronation Street's Rosie Webster, who wears black clothes.

Melissa Fletcher, 16, met two friends at the Triangle, in the city centre, for some Saturday afternoon shopping. But security guards would not let them inside, apparently because of the way they looked.

Melissa has red and black hair and a pierced lip, just like the character Rosie in the Street who has rebelled against her parents Sally and Kevin Webster by dyeing her hair black and listening to Goth hard-rock music.

Melissa's mum, Sharon, 34, from Denton, said she had already taken her daughter shopping inside the complex on Saturday morning. But Melissa was barred when she returned with her friends, both 16, later the same day.

Sharon said: "Melissa does not drink, smoke or take drugs. She knows what is right and what is wrong but dressing differently is no reason to be singled out. She had money in her pockets to spend but Melissa did not even get through the front door.

"The security guard told me later that he was under strict orders not to let them in because of the way they looked."

The Triangle - the former Corn Exchange - includes designer clothing stores like Karen Millen, Jigsaw, and Muji, and a Nicky Clarke hair salon.

Melissa, a pupil at Egerton Park High School, Denton, said she would not be returning to the shops. She said: "I think it is discriminatory."

A spokesman for the centre said: "If it is believed the behaviour of some is likely to compromise the safety or enjoyment of others, then the Triangle is able to reserve the right to refuse admission."

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