Charging £425 for the privilege of being a mascot is excluding children from being part of their favourite football team and Crystal Palace needs to "think again".

This is the view of Croydon North MP Steve Reed after it emerged Palace is one of 11 Premiership clubs that charges the children who lead out the team.

Prices range from £150 for the silver package at grade B games to £425 for the gold package.

Children on the cheaper deal have to supply their own kit and match tickets and get to warm up, lead the players on to the pitch and appear in the centre circle photograph.

Among the extra benefits of the gold package are a write up in the programme, a trophy, meeting the squad in the changing room, tickets and a kit for the game.

Figures show the top price gold package at Selhurst Park is amongst the most expensive in the league.

Mr Reed said: "It is a lot of money to ask a family to pay. You should not be excluding kids from any backgrounds from being the mascot of their favourite football team.

"I think the club needs to think again and ensure that kids that love their football can play a role in the club that means so much to them."

Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City are both £25 more than the top Palace price, at £450 each for their packages.

West Ham’s prices range from £350 to £600 depending on the match.

Leicester City ranges from £300 to £400 and Tottenham charges between £250 and £400.

West Bromwich Albion packages start at £265. Burnley, Stoke City and Hull City also charge.

Corporate hospitality packages of between £3,000 and £4,000 at St James’ Park include mascot places for fans.

Almost half the league's clubs give away the chance to be a mascot through competitions and charities.

Nine of the clubs in the league - Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Southampton and Sunderland - do not charge children to be mascots.

Crystal Palace FC did not want to comment.

Is £425 a fair price for the privilege of being a Crystal Palace mascot. Have your say below or send a letter to letters@croydonguardian.co.uk