TWO social workers have been dismissed from their jobs following claims they allowed teenage sex abuse victims to go night-clubbing and get drunk.

Ann Pennels and Michael Boyle were suspended in August after the allegations, relating to a seaside trip, came to light.

And now, following investigations into the incident, which happened in Scarborough, Darlington Borough Council has dismissed both workers, who were employed in its social services department.

The two 14-year-old girls involved were in social services care at the time, and sparked the inquiry when they told friends and family about the incident.

Ms Pennels, who was dismissed approximately two weeks ago, and Mr Boyle, who was sacked on Thursday, were supervising the trip to Scarborough. It is thought the four went to a pub for a meal, where the girls are alleged to have been drinking wine and alcopops.

They are then thought to have all gone on to one club together, from which the girls went on to another without their carers.

They were believed to have been told to keep in touch with Ms Pennels and Mr Boyle via mobile phone, and came back to the hotel, where all four were staying, in drunken states. During the night, other guests complained to management about noise.

Karen Robinson, who owns the Gresham Hotel, said there was a loud conversation on the phone and Mr Boyle had been running up and down the stairs.

A spokesman for Darlington council said there was a period after each dismissal for the former employees to lodge an appeal.

He confirmed: "One was dismissed a couple of weeks ago following a disciplinary hearing. The second one of them was dismissed yesterday, following the second disciplinary hearing."

Mr Boyle, believed to be in his thirties, told The Northern Echo he was unable to speak about the decision, when he was approached at his home in North Road, Darlington, last night. Ms Pennels, 48, of Grassmere Road, Darlington, was not available to comment.