A council boss claims she was left too ill to work because of the sexist treatment she suffered.

Sheryl Grady, chief executive at Worthing Borough Council, wants financial compensation for sexual discrimination after allegedly being demoralised and undermined by some colleagues and councillors because she is a woman.

The details of the long-running civic controversy have remained secret until yesterday, when Miss Grady's legal action began at an employment tribunal.

The hearing in Brighton heard accusations of sexism, ill-feeling between councillors and officers and a breakdown in communication between senior officers running the town.

Miss Grady, 47, who lives in Hove, is taking action against the council and its former Lib Dem leader Sheila Player, who lost her seat in local elections last May.

The local authority and Miss Player have denied her allegations.

The tribunal heard how Miss Grady went on sick leave last December after the council launched an investigation into her style of management.

She was accused of bullying, inducing stress, creating an atmosphere of blame and putting improper pressure on staff.

But Miss Grady told the tribunal she was the victim of mistreatment.

She alleged there was clear evidence of institutionalised sex discrimination within the council.

She maintained she was repeatedly treated differently, from her pay to her office furniture, because she is a woman.

She claimed the council failed to take action when other senior officers made serious mistakes, but when one member of staff complained about her through his union, the GMB, she was subjected to "draconian" measures.

In a 120-page statement read out, Miss Grady claimed she was treated unfairly because of her sex since she first joined the authority in 1992 as head of legal services.

Among her allegations were:

She was paid 12 per cent less than the national average for her post while male colleagues got more
She repeatedly received less favourable treatment compared to male colleagues
She was cold-shouldered when she made a complaint about being undermined
The tribunal, due to last at least eight days, continues.