Two nursery workers sacked over allegations that they bullied children in their care have been awarded more than £5,000 compensation.

Susan Thomas, owner of Teddy Bears day nursery in Hove, sacked deputy nursery supervisor Debbie Marsh and nursery assistant Sharon Overton after parents complained to social services that their children were being physically and emotionally abused.

Mrs Thomas was presented with an eight-page dossier detailing the allegations, which included children being tied to chairs and a toddler being held upside down in a toy car.

Both women denied the allegations, but were sacked for gross misconduct.

Now an employment tribunal has ruled the women were unfairly dismissed on the grounds that Mrs Thomas failed to investigate the allegations, gave the women no opportunity to respond to the claims and did not consider suspending them.

The tribunal also found no evidence to substantiate any of the allegations against the two women.

Mrs Marsh, of Manor Close, Southwick, who worked at the nursery for seven years, was awarded £3,619.35.

Mrs Overton, of Boundary Road, Hove, will receive £2,089.25 in compensation.

Mrs Marsh said: "I am overjoyed that the truth has finally come to light. I am just pleased it is all over and I'm looking forward to getting on with my life with my husband and child.

"During my pregnancy and the birth of my child I endured 11 months of untrue allegations."

The tribunal acknowledged that Mrs Thomas had to lay off the two women or run the risk of crippling, if not losing, her business.

If she failed to take action many parents would have removed their children from the nursery and social services may have shut her down.

However, the tribunal felt, an internal inquiry could have been carried out among other members of staff.