A BLIND Redditch man has been awarded £20,000 from his former employer in an out-of-court settlement after a five-year battle.

Paul Brookes (pictured), of Prospect Hill, worked as a telephonist for Barclays Bank from 1979 but retired due to ill health in 1999.

Mr Brookes, 47, decided to take the bank to a tribunal after being transferred from his Redditch branch to a busy Kings Heath branch where he was forced to travel by taxi every day.

He also alleged work colleagues had denied him access to fire escapes and drills, poured correction fluid in his hair and smeared a sticky substance on his shirt.

Mr Brookes accepted an out-of-court settlement in the region of £20,000.

His wife, Kate, said: "We're both looking at getting counselling now to put all this behind us and start looking ahead to the future."

The couple thanked Redditch Citizens Advice Bureau, Redditch MP Jacqui Smith, minister David Blunkett and Redditch Association for the Blind for their support.

Mrs Brookes added: "We both think disabled people have the right to work and to be treated with respect."

A Barclays spokesman confirmed a settlement had been made but due to confidentiality, the terms and conditions could not be commented on.

"We can confirm there has been a settlement but that is by no way an admission of liability on Barclays' part.

"The allegations were investigated thoroughly and we are confident our staff acted properly throughout," the spokesman said.