A housekeeper sacked for spreading malicious gossip on the estate of one of Britain's wealthiest men has lost a claim for unfair dismissal.

Frances Hewson was sacked from her �14,000-a-year position on the Duke of Westminster's 11,000-acre estate in Eccleston, near Chester, in October 2001.

Staff at Eaton Hall had complained the 51-year-old had spread details of their salaries, working hours and perks.

But at an industrial tribunal Mrs Hewson claimed she had been removed after being "ridiculed, humiliated and reduced to tears" by two members of staff.

Mrs Hewson claimed she was "reduced to tears"

The tribunal heard the mother-of-two had worked for the Duke since 1994 and lived in a grace-and-favour cottage on the estate.

But Simon Gorton, counsel for the Duke, said she had been responsible for "discontent and disharmony" among the staff and was dismissed for gross misconduct.

He added staff morale had "reached an all-time low" and the Duke - who has an estimated fortune of �4bn - approved her sacking.

But her lawyer Alan Roberts said she had merely indulged in "industrial chit chat" and her dismissal was "way over the top".

He also said it was unfair that she was denied access to letters of complaint about her from five of her colleagues.

But the employment tribunal in Liverpool decided her dismissal was fair.

Speaking after the case, Mr Roberts said that if gossiping was a sackable offence, "half the workforce in the UK has a problem".

The Grosvenor Estate welcomed the tribunal's decision.