A TRIBUNAL is deliberating its decision on a third dispute between a town council and one of its clerks.

Val Rogers, who worked for Thornaby Town Council from June 2004 to January this year, claimed constructive dismissal from the post.

She said political bickering created a difficult working atmosphere, and that she suffered harassment by certain councillors.

It is the third time the town council has been sued by a former employee in recent years.

Mrs Rogers took over the job from former town clerk Leanne Plant, who successfully sued the council in 2005 for unfair dismissal.

And in May this year, Angela Welsh also successfully claimed unfair dismissal and indirect sexual discrimination following the loss of her temporary position as assistant town clerk.

Mrs Rogers, of Acklam, Middlesbrough, told the employment tribunal in Thornaby that she was forced to leave her job because of stress and overwork.

She said: "There was a lot of fighting within the council due to political differences and this often prevented me doing my job."

She said, at the beginning of last year, she noticed a change in attitude in some of the councillors, and claims former chairwoman Beryl Robinson told her: "They want you out, get another job."

Mrs Rogers said: "I became more depressed, thinking that everyone was against me."

Mrs Robinson denied the claims at this week's hearing.

"There were times when the workload was high, but councillors came in to help out," said Mrs Robinson, who was a town councillor for eight years before recently stepping down. "If she wanted assistance with anything, she only had to ask."

The council said a meeting was arranged to discuss Mrs Rogers' complaints on January 12 this year, but she went off sick on January 4 and then resigned on January 17. Therefore, it is claimed, they could not address the concerns.

The tribunal is expected to announce its decision in just over three weeks.