Tina Lee says she did not deserve to be sacked

Tina Lee was dismissed by Tesco in Llandudno Junction, north Wales, after the man complained about her approach to him.

But an anti-paedophile group has attacked the decision and asked Tesco to change its guidelines to encourage more staff to do the same.

Ms Lee said she could not believe she had lost her job, and was expecting a written warning at most.

She should have been promoted. We need many more people like her Campaigner Shy Keenan

She was working in customer services when a colleague was developing the photos.

Ms Lee told BBC Radio Wales that she had gone to look at the pictures, and saw two shots of a naked five-year-old girl in a cardboard box.

"It took me totally by surprise; I just didn't expect it," she said.

Her colleagues consulted a guide and they decided there was no problem. The photos were then handed over to the man and he left.

Confused

Ms Lee told the Good Evening Wales programme that she then went out outside the store to talk to him.

Tesco says it would call the police if necessary

"I wanted him to know that I was upset about the photos and that you really do need to be careful with photos today with children," she said.

But after the customer complained Tesco decided that she should not have interfered.

Ms Lee said she had not confronted the man, but had given him advice.

She probably deserved a "jolly good written telling-off", but not to lose her job. She is appealing against the decision.

Shy Keenan, of the Phoenix Survivors group, said parents were confused, fearful and unsure what to do.

Her group was set up after a Merseyside police operation called Operation Phoenix.

Ms Keenan said: "We at Phoenix Survivors absolutely applaud Tina.

"I don't think she should have been sacked. She should have been promoted. We need many more people like her."

She said Tesco should have left it to the police to decide in this case.

"That way we are sure that child safety is the first and foremost interest in this."

She applauded Tesco for having a policy, but said it needed to be updated.

Tesco said that employees in the photographic unit and senior staff in store were trained in dealing with this kind of issue.

North Wales Police said it would not be taking any action after investigating the photographs and consulting a paediatrician.

Mrs Lee is now considering whether to take the Tesco store to a tribunal for unfair dismissal.