A construction worker sacked because he joined a trade union has won a landmark legal battle securing holiday pay for his colleagues.

In a preliminary ruling, a Brighton employment tribunal said the main reason for carpenter Martin Avey's dismissal was trade union membership and activities.

His former employer Stour Contractors Ltd and officials from the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) are to hold talks to try to avoid a full hearing.

The union hailed the decision as a "landmark victory".

Mr Avey was working on the redevelopment of the old Hannington's department store in North Street, Brighton, when he was sacked.

Workers at the site were angry the company insisted they were self-employed and not entitled to paid holiday, an arrangement common in the construction industry.

Mr Avey joined the TGWU on October 28 and, with some colleagues, started talking to other workers at the site about holiday pay.

Four days later, on November 1, he was sacked. The dismissal was confirmed on November 4.

An earlier tribunal hearing confirmed Mr Avey's status as an employee. This week, the company was ordered to pay his wages from the time he was dismissed.

Stour Contractors subsequently agreed all 60 workers at the Hannington's site were entitled to four weeks' paid holiday a year and gave them eight days off over Christmas.

Mr Avey, 50, of Preston Road, Brighton, said: "I feel vindicated in what we set out to do, to try to get holiday pay. But it has been very stressful.

"I hope it has done some good in terms of ordinary working men getting their rights."

Steve Turner, regional organiser for the TGWU, said: "We hope this decision marks the final nail in the coffin for false self-employment in the construction industry.

"We want a 21st Century industry that provides employment stability, a safe working environment, career opportunities and a change of culture that attracts more people into construction."

Bournemouth-based Stour Contractors, said it did not want to comment in detail.

Managing director John Clarke said an offer had been made to Mr Avey and he hoped there would be no need for a full hearing.