A SOCIAL worker yesterday accused council bosses of ignoring her complaints that she was sexually harassed by her manager.

Instead of taking stronger action, they sent her to work in the same building as the man after handing her an advice leaflet, an industrial tribunal heard yesterday.

Michelle Lakin said her Darlington Borough Council employers argued there was little they could do, as the harassment happened at social functions and not at work.

Miss Lakin, who is claiming damages for sexual harassment, told the Newcastle tribunal: "I felt extremely nervous and sick when I went into work, because I knew I would bump into him."

The hearing heard how her line manager, Les Woodward, made sexual advances at a staff party.

Miss Lakin said that, at a staff Christmas party in 1997, he made personal remarks and ran his hand up and down her back.

It was only after Miss Lakin, of Darlington, instituted proceedings that the council ordered an inquiry and Mr Woodward was suspended and subsequently dismissed.

After the disciplinary proceedings, Miss Lakin said she complained to the head of service, Ian Tucker, who said there was nothing that the authority could do.

She was taken out of a satellite home in Cobden Street and could not avoid bumping into Mr Woodward, who worked in the same premises, at Beech Rise Children's Home.

Miss Lakin said: "On most days when I arrived at work he walked out of his office as I walked into the building."

Darlington council accepts there was sexual harassment, but argues it carried out a proper investigation and took all reasonable steps.

The hearing continues.