A BROMSGROVE woman who complained she was unfairly sacked as a nanny to the three children of a paediatrician and her husband has lost her fight for compensation for sex discrimination and unfair dismissal.

Miss Helena Pullen, of Perryfields Road, looked after the children of Dr Katherine Bailey and her husband Roger four days a week at their home at Thicknall Lane, Clent, a Birmingham Employment Tribunal was told.

Miss Pullen said she enjoyed caring for the children aged 10, eight and three during the day - enabling Dr Bailey to carry out her work and for Mr Bailey to attend his business.

But problems arose when Dr Bailey started working at a hospital some distance away, requiring an earlier start and a later finish, the tribunal was told.

The couple complained Miss Pullen was not flexible with her hours and had to engage an au pair to provide the extra cover while Miss Pullen was still the nanny.

The au pair left after a spell and another was appointed. She too eventually left.

Miss Pullen said she later found she was pregnant and eventually suffered a miscarriage, resulting in having to have time off to attend hospital.

She said that when she returned to her duties Dr Bailey upset her and she later received a letter saying she had lost her job.

Mr Mark Vinall, representing Mr and Dr Bailey, said that before the dismissal Miss Pullen had been sent a letter asking her to attend a meeting to talk things over. But he said Miss Pullen did not attend.

Miss Pullen said she had sent the couple a text explaining that she was unable to attend the meeting.

"I was always co operative and at times worked longer hours than planned," she said. Tribunal chairman Mr S Ahmed said that the tribunal was satisfied that Dr Bailey had her husband needed more flexible nanny cover for their children.

He said the case was an unusual one involving personal relationships.

It was apparent Dr Bailey and Mr Bailey were prepared to continue the relationship with Miss Pullen and had tried to resolve the matter by arranging the meeting.

"The tribunal does not believe that what happened was directed against Miss Pullen's sex," said Mr Ahmed.

As a result the claims for compensation for sex discrimination and unfair dismissal were rejected.

Miss Pullen now has an 11-week-old baby girl.