The company had contested the claims

Jane Hayton, from Greater Manchester, said she was "very relieved" to have settled the case with bowling firm AMF for an undisclosed sum.

On Wednesday a tribunal in Manchester was told Mrs Hayton's concerns about stomach pains during her pregnancy were ignored on the day another employee was sent home because he had a hangover.

Mrs Hayton, who worked at AMF's Wigan outlet, claimed sex discrimination, that she had been denied maternity suspension pay (full pay instead of sick pay), victimisation and constructive dismissal.

The company disputed Mrs Hayton's claims, but settled before the tribunal reached a verdict.

Employers cannot be allowed to disregard the health and safety of new and expectant mothers Equal Opportunities Commission spokeswoman

Mrs Hayton, 26, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, said: "It's been a very stressful time. I'm just so happy it's all over."

The hearing had been told Mrs Hayton was employed to carry out reception, bar and bowling lane duties, but when she told AMF she was pregnant in November 2001, she understood she would get more suitable work.

However, she continued with reception duties and, in December 2001, complained to her duty manager she was suffering from severe stomach pains.

"I had sharp stabbing pains in my stomach, severe back ache and was very stressed," she said.

"I was worried about having a miscarriage as I had had one already in the past.

'Formal investigation'

"[But] I was told I could only go home when a replacement was found as we were understaffed due to a colleague being sent home with a hangover."

She resigned from the firm in March 2003, and was supported by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) in pursuing her case.

An EOC spokeswoman said: "Employers cannot be allowed to disregard the health and safety of new and expectant mothers by failing to assess the risks arising from the working environment of new and expectant mothers.

"The EOC is concerned about the continuing prevalence of pregnancy related discrimination and is launching a formal investigation next month to look at the issue in more detail."

AMF has not commented on the case.