A crisp factory worker who claims he was forced out of his job after being bullied about his chronic stammer has lost his compensation battle.

Kevin Alderson claimed he needed psychiatric treatment after being forced to give a speech during a team-building exercise.

The 40-year-old said he was bullied, taunted and humiliated after being forced to live out his worst nightmare.

But when it came to the crunch an employment tribunal ruled against the father-of-two.

Walkers Crisps denied forcing him out of his job and discriminating against him on the grounds of his disability.

The company is famously endorsed by former England striker Gary Lineker and Mr Alderson was present when the TV pundit visited the plant as it celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1999.

But during that time he claimed he was going through a personal nightmare at the hands of his line manager Mary King, who he said frequently reduced him to tears with her bullying.

Trouble started when packaging technician Mr Alderson, who had worked at the factory since 1977, was asked to take part in a role-playing exercise and verbal presentation on July 6 1999.

He had told his line manager he did not want to take part in the exercise because he was embarrassed over his stammer but she bullied him into taking part.

He was placed in a group with other colleagues who carried out work situations and was asked to voice his opinions.

Mr Alderson was aksed to fill in an evaluation form on the exercise and made clear his disgust at being made to take part.

But Walkers claimed the role play took place in a private room and that Mr Alderson was happy to take part.

The tribunal pointed out that his previous attendance record left "much to be desired."

In 1995 he had 42 days off and in 1997 he was absent for 37 days.

His claim for constructive dismissal was ruled out and a further claim of disability discrimination was ruled "out of time."

The tribunal concluded: "The tribunal does not accept that anything took place at the business basics course amounted to discrimination.

"The applicant was required and agreed to take part in an exercise limited to offering comments.

"He was amongst colleagues he worked with every day and it was a very private setting. He ranked the trainers as excellent."

Mr Alderson, of Easington Colliery, Co Durham, is now working as a builder.

His wife Lesley said: "It is very disappointing that we have lost the case.

"We only began it as a matter of principle. We have now made our point and we have moved on.

"Kevin is owrking on a building site and had consigned what happened at walkers to the past."