A shopping center in Nottingham, England is now the subject of ire by parents after a security guard in the arcade told their children to shut up while singing Christmas carols to entertain shoppers.

The children's Christmas choir, comprised of 23 children aged three to five, were reduced to tears after security guards at the Nottingham's Exchange Arcade told them to shut up and stop singing carols because they were too noisy.

According to The Sun newspaper, the children were taken by their nursery school teachers to entertain shoppers in the shopping center.

Claire Ellis, 38, mother of three-year-old singer Harrison, said, "It's disgusting. Christmas is a time for hearing little ones sing. Naturally they get excited but this was a special day for them."

Sharon Hastings, supervisor at Jesters Child Care Nursery, in Gedling, Notts added, "I couldn't believe it when we were asked to leave. We hadn't caused any disruption and we weren't being loud."

Lorraine Harvey, manager of the store said, "None of our customers complained about the kids."

But security personnel defended their action and said the children were being noisy and had already been advised to quiet down before they intervened.

Exchange Arcade manager Joe Joseph said, "I was told by the security guards that they were making a noise and not singing."