REDDITCH firm Pilkington Automotive Ltd which makes vehicle windscreens and glass for aircraft, made a "last minute" settlement - believed to be several thousand pounds - to a sacked supply manager as he was about to make a compensation claim for unfair dismissal.

Mr Simon Lane had complained at Birmingham Employment Tribunal that he had been unfairly dismissed by Pilkington Automotive Ltd following a dispute.

Mr Lane was based at the firm's depot at Park Farm North, Redditch. The firm, which has a massive warehouse at Redditch, also makes glass for double glazing and has branches in the UK and Europe.

Details about what happened leading to Mr Lane's dismissal - his full title was Supply Chain Manager - were about to be revealed at the start of an eight-day tribunal hearing when the firm indicated it was prepared to discuss a settlement in private.

The firm has opposed the unfair dismissal claim by Mr Lane who joined Pilkington in 2000 and lost his job in April last year.

The hearing was adjourned for nearly two hours while the legal representatives from both parties discussed a deal.

The hearing was later resumed and tribunal chairman Mr A.S.Ahmed confirmed a settlement had been reached in private.

Mr Lane said afterwards: "In view of the settlement I feel obligated to not discuss the details involving my dismissal or reveal the amount accepted."

The firm also declined to comment.

Mr Lane was a rugby union fly half for three years for Leamington Spa before joining the Pilkington Firm. He said he was now a civil servant. Part of his job at Redditch involved travel throughout Europe.

Mr Ahmed said later: "As the settlement was reached in private the tribunal is not obligated to say how much was accepted. Mr Lane's claim has now been officially dismissed."