A theatre chain in the UK was forced to apologise to a disabled boy and his mother after they were told he would be unable to view The Theory of Everything due to issues with wheelchair access.

The mother of 12-year-old Jo Francis said that she phoned the branch of Odeon cinema in Harrogate, in the north of England, but was told that all nine weekend screenings of the film - including those on National Disabled Access Day in the UK - couldn’t accommodate wheelchairs.

"He said to me the film [about Stephen Hawking] was supposed to inspire people, but how can somebody in a wheelchair be inspired if they can’t see it? I cried when he said that," Kelly Francis told The Mirror.

The cinema has since apologised, offering the pair free tickets.

In a statement, Odeon said: "On the weekend of the 17th – 18th January, newer release films American Sniper, Into the Woods and Taken 3 were shown in the screens with access for people with disabilities, to ensure a variety of films are on offer.

“Unfortunately, this wasn’t communicated to the guest clearly, and we apologise for the frustration this caused," the statement added. "We have invited them back to see The Theory of Everything as guests of the cinema, and they have assured us they are satisfied with how the matter was concluded."