A SOUTHCREST woman has spoken of her relief after receiving a cheque from Redditch Royal British Legion club a year after a Birmingham employment tribunal ruled she had been unfairly dismissed.

The tribunal decided in favour of 47-year-old Elizabeth O'Donnel in March 2004 but did not receive any money for 12 months.

Her solicitor's letters to the club went unanswered.

There were plans to take the club to court this month to recoup the money - which could have resulted in the club building being sold.

But last week, Mrs O'Donnel's solicitor accepted a cheque from the club for £23,500 of the £24,600 she was due to receive.

Mrs O'Donnel said: "I'm so relieved, I can finally put this behind me.

"Had the club not come forward with the money, there's a possibility it would've been forced to sell its building.

"I really didn't want to see that happen as I'm fond of many club members who enjoy themselves so much there.

"All I want now is to get on with the rest of my life."

Mrs O'Donnel was employed as a manager at the club from September 2001 and was made stewardess in 2002.

In 2003, while off work with an ear and throat infection, she received a letter from the club saying she had been made redundant.

She later saw her old position advertised and was told by the club to re-apply but never received a response.

Club secretary Mark Taylor said: "The club had been in some financial difficulty.

"As soon as we were physically able to, we paid Liz the money the tribunal said she was due.

"Like her, we now want to draw a line under everything that has happened."