A former building society worker claims she was the subject of sex discrimination after she complained about an outbreak of fleas in the office where she worked.

Linda Green says her frequent complaints about flea bites she suffered at the Nationwide Building Society's administrative base in Northampton were not taken seriously.

Mrs Green says she was bitten by fleas while at work

In a statement to an industrial tribunal she claimed the bites could only have happened at work and many other women had complained of the same thing.

She said she felt if she had been a man something would have been done about the problem.

She handed in her notice in November after claiming her complaints had fallen on deaf ears.

Mrs Green is claiming sex discrimination and constructive dismissal. The building society denies the claims.

An internationally-recognised flea expert told the tribunal managers at the society did not do enough to investigate the infestation.

Clive Boase said the company should have used professional flea control measures with insecticides recognised by the Health and Safety Executive.

The case is expected to last three days.

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