Linda Lund, a part-time Peacocks worker at Linlithgow Bridge, claims they had been given permission by supervisors on the morning of the procession.

With many Linlithgow shops shut for the day and business slow colleagues joined her at the store entrance to take in the annual spectacle and cheer on the procession.

But the next day Linda claimed CCTV footage was checked to see how long staff had been out for – and they were later told they'd be docked half an hour's wages.

Linda (47) said: "We weren't expecting that and I think everyone in the shop got a shock,"It's a big occasion in Linlithgow – the town supports Peacocks and Peacocks should support the town.

"One of the guys from the shop had a float in the parade and we wanted to see him."

Such is Linda's passion for the Marches that, up until her current Peacocks job, she has always been able to take the day off.

She said given their position at the front door, staff would have been able to help any customers that visited during the parade. In the event no-one came in.

Linda added: "At the pet shop they had their chairs out, other shop staff were out as well and the garage was closed down."

With Peacocks being in Linlithgow for just one year, the significance of the day was maybe not realised.

She said if she'd been told in advance she'd be hit in the pocket, she would have gone out in any case, but 'would have still been disgusted'.

Linda is pursuing her complaint with the company and added: "It's definitely the principle, half an hour's wages doesn't mean much to me."
Mark Holley, national customer service manager for the clothes chain, said: "Peacocks will always look to work with local communities.

"We will investigate this matter with the appropriate persons."