A MAN dressed as a bulldog sparked a tit-for-tat row between a union and bosses of an insurance company.

Union rep Bob Bolam wore the costume to protest about the possible sale of Churchill Insurance.

Mr Bolam, from the Amicus union, handed leaflets to employees at the Stockton office to tell them about their rights at work.

He said bosses were refusing to meet the union to discuss the sell-off rumours.

But the company said it holds regular meetings and said yesterday's demonstration could unsettle the workers further.

Mr Bolam said: "We carried out a recent poll with 200 Churchill employees, where 98 per cent of staff said they believed the company is up for sale.

"The exercise was about showing staff at the company we are the union that can help them become better informed and give them a voice in their own future."

But a spokeswoman from Churchill said: "Over the past few years, we have received numerous approaches from companies interested in buying us and this has often led to a lot of media speculation.

"Our key focus has always been on the interests of our employees. We are a bit concerned the union protests yesterday could have an unnecessary worrying effect on our staff.

"As regards to meetings, we have always attended regular meetings with unions and I know of no situation when we have refused to attend."