Bradford-based supermarket giant Morrisons has changed its policy on preventing staff wearing charity bracelets after a worker in its Portsmouth store was suspended from his job for wearing items in tribute to Drummer Lee Rigby.

Adam Austin, 28, arrived at the Victory Retail Park store on Monday wearing a Help for Heroes bracelet and an enamel poppy badge next to his name tag.

He said he wanted to show his respect to the friends and family of soldier Drummer Rigby, 25, who was hacked to death in a street in Woolwich, south east London, last week, but managers told him to take them off or face disciplinary action.

Mr Austin refused and then posted a letter from Morrisons on the internet – which said he had been suspended until Friday.

Speaking to his local paper, Mr Austin said: “I was disappointed and partly furious.

“I would have understood if they had said you can wear them now, and then, when the situation with Lee Rigby dies down, take them off.

“I have got friends in the Army and friends who have been in the Army.

“What with the issue with Lee Rigby, I wore them out of respect.”

In a statement, explaining its change of policy, Morrisons said: ‘We understand that it’s important to many people to show support for our armed forces.

“Morrisons is a long-time supporter of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and we welcome Help for Heroes fundraisers into stores.

“As a company we encourage store colleagues to show their support for the Royal British Legion by wearing poppies in October and November.

“We currently ask that colleagues adhere to a company dress code which precludes bracelets and pins.”

The spokesman pointed out that such rules existed for obvious health and safety reasons when staff were involved in making or preparing food.

“However, we have reviewed these guidelines and colleagues working in non-fresh food preparation areas will now be permitted to wear a registered charity wristband,” the spokesman said.

No-one at the Help the Heroes charity, which raises money to help injured servicemen and women, wanted to comment about the situation when contacted by the Telegraph & Argus last night.