A NIGHTCLUB has rejected claims it has banned soldiers following the launch of a campaign on a social networking website.

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IPSWICH: A nightclub has rejected claims it has banned soldiers following the launch of a campaign on a social networking website.

More than 430 people have joined a Facebook group, which was started after members of the armed forces claimed they were refused entry to Liquid, in Grafton Way, Ipswich.

Craig Parnill, creator of the online group, said: “These soldiers are heroes, they fight for the freedom you have so you can go out and drink yet when they are home they aren't allowed to drink in certain places due to civilian's arrogance and old fashioned prejudices.”

The internet group also criticises the nightclub for taking army ID cards off squaddies on arrival.

Simon Dibb, a member of the group, said: “It's been like it for over a year now - I haven't been to Liquid in over a year due to the fact I had to hand my ID card over and I refused to do so. Quite frankly I'm fed up of being denied entry in to clubs because of my career choice.”

Glen Freeman, general manager of Liquid Ipswich, said: “Members of the army are not banned.

“We did have a few issues earlier last month on Monday nights, but that was more to do with the numbers of admissions - that problem has been sorted now.

“We were removing their ID cards from them on arrival but as soon as we found out that it was illegal we put a stop to it.”

Have you been denied entry from a nightclub in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk