An hotel receptionist who was sacked while she was pregnant has been awarded £7,000 compensation.

Kay Harsent, who worked at the Queen's Hotel, on Brighton seafront, won her claim for sex discrimination and unfair dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy at an employment tribunal.

Mrs Harsent, of St Michael's Road, Portslade, wept as the tribunal panel announced its decision, which included £2,000 for injury to feelings.

The Brighton tribunal heard how Mrs Harsent, who experienced difficulties with her pregnancy, was dismissed as she had been forced to take time off work as she was feeling ill.

Mrs Harsent, who later had a son, Owen, said: "I could not believe the company could fire me when I was so ill during my pregnancy."

Mrs Harsent, who had worked for the hotel since 1998, suffered severe sickness and was confined to bed. At one time she spent a week in hospital.

Brighton Hotels Ltd took over the hotel in August last year when Mrs Harsent had already been off sick for two weeks. When she failed to return to work by October she was dismissed.

The company sent her a letter warning it would start looking for a replacement because of her absenteeism and asked her to make contact. She said she made repeated unsuccessful attempts to telephone her new boss.

The hotel denied treating her unfairly.