A FORMER checkout cashier seeking compensation for sex discrimination, alleged a supervisor thrust a dirty mop in her face while working at Morrisons supermarket in Malvern.

Christina Halls, aged 18, of Redland Road, Malvern, also claimed a supervisor marked her face with a pen.

The allegations were made at a Birmingham Employment Tribunal preliminary hearing as Miss Halls was given approval to have her claim for sex discrimination heard at a full tribunal hearing later this year.

William Morrison Supermarkets Ltd denied the allegations and opposed Miss Halls' claim.

She said she was employed at the Malvern supermarket for seven months last year.

"I was sometimes reduced to tears by the supervisors' behaviour and the situation became so intolerable that I had to leave," she said.

Miss Halls alleged the supervisors made insulting remarks about her 5ft 11ins height and were unco- operative.

She said that after she refused to clean her machine, on hygienic grounds, with chemicals that had been used in the toilet, a dirty mop was thrust in her face.

"On another occasion one of the supermarket supervisors marked my face with a pen for no apparent reason," alleged Miss Halls.

She said she put her grievances in writing but the person who should have dealt with them never appeared to be available.

Miss Halls had hoped to make a claim for constructive dismissal as well as sex discrimination, after claiming the situation caused her to leave.

But she was told that she had to be employed at the firm for a full year to be able to claim constructive dismissal.

Miss Halls said she would be conducting her own case after being told by tribunal chairperson Mary Street that she could go ahead with her claim at a full hearing.

The supermarket's supervisors are expected to attend the hearing.