Poundland has been forced to review its dress code after one of its workers was told to remove her remembrance poppy, sparking fury from customers.

Hundreds of customers threatened to boycott the budget chain if it did not allow its staff to show their respect to war heroes by wearing poppies.

The Willenhall-based company has now made a U-turn and said it would allow workers to “use their own discretion in wearing poppies”.

The row erupted after claims surfaced on Facebook that one member of staff at a store in Northern Ireland was sent home from work and faced losing her job after refusing to remove her poppy. Poundland chief executive Jim McCarthy, said: “A store colleague was politely asked to remove a poppy by a store manager in order to comply with company policy.

“The store colleague decided to walk out and stated that she would return on Monday wearing her poppy.

“We have listened to the views of customers and colleagues and have, in light of their feedback, reviewed the policy.

“We have decided that in the case of the poppy appeal to allow store colleagues to use their own discretion in wearing poppies. This change in policy is consistent with recent reviews of policy made by other leading high street retailers. We apologise for any unintended offence that has been caused.”

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