An office worker at a volunteer bureau who claimed she was unfairly sacked following a witch-hunt has reached a financial settlement with her ex-bosses.

Elayne Merry, who worked part-time at the Peacehaven and Telscombe Volunteer Bureau, claimed at an employment tribunal she was unfairly dismissed by the trustees in April.

Mrs Merry, of Heathdown Close, Peacehaven, agreed a settlement without giving evidence.

The tribunal heard how trouble broke out at the bureau after it began investigating concerns over a cheque for a deposit on a car.

Mrs Merry, a former nurse who had worked for the charity for a year, believed she was being implicated.

When she complained about the way the bureau was handling the inquiry, she claimed she was called a "stupid, foolish girl" by a trustee.

The trustees accused her of being uncooperative, abusive and aggressive.

They suspended her pending a disciplinary hearing and she was made redundant a few days later.

The trustees denied Mrs Merry's claims she was bullied, harassed and made the victim of a witch-hunt.

But they admitted not going through the proper procedures in dealing with her suspension and redundancy.