A postman was suspended from work for 24 hours and docked a day's pay for breaking wind.

Neil Simmons, 35, unleashed a gastric gale in the sorting office after a festive night on the beer.

Four colleagues on the 5am shift complained about the smell and by 6.30am Neil was told to go home.

He was told in a formal letter told not to visit Royal Mail premises until further notice.

Neil, of Broadwater Boulevard, Worthing, said: "I don't think it was that bad. I'd had quite a few pints the night before and my stomach wasn't behaving itself.

"Rather than ordering me to take some indigestion tablets they thought it would be best to kick me out."

Office manager Tony Cannon said in a letter: "You have continued to pass wind in the work area, causing disruption among fellow members."

Neil has been allowed to return to work and said today: "I'm taking it easy.

"I'm not a morning person and my stomach doesn't like Christmas."