A TRIBUNAL involving the boss of a failed historic steam train festival planned for the North-East has been postponed until next year.

David Champion was due to face claims including sexual discrimination and harassment from two former members of staff at Rail 2000.

A ten-day hearing was to start on November 20 in Newcastle, but it has now been delayed at what is understood to be a request of Mr Champion.

The complainants, former sales and marketing manager Ailsa MacKenzie and PA to the directors Janice Armstrong, have both indicated that they are still willing to pursue their case.

They were suspended from their jobs in October last year and dismissed for "gross misconduct" a month later.

Rail 2000 was a company set up by David Champion to organise a steam train festival called The Millennium Cavalcade of Steam. It had been intended to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. However, Rail 2000 got into financial difficulties and was placed into liquidation by Mr Champion.

A new date for the tribunal will be considered in the new year.