A BARMAID who lost her sex discrimination case against a Darlington working men's club has vowed to return to work today.

Catherine Dodsworth claimed her bosses at Darlington Central Men's Club refused to let her have afternoons off, even though she had a new child at home to care for.

The mother-of-three yesterday lost her employment tribunal in Newcastle after claiming club bosses had discriminated against her when she returned from maternity leave in January last year.

Mrs Dodsworth, of Brignall Moor Crescent, Darlington, told the tribunal that she had previously worked evenings and weekends and swapped afternoon shifts with other staff members whenever necessary.

She refused to sign a new rota when she visited the club before returning to work, claiming the revised hours would make her life impossible.

The tribunal heard that staff had been told they had to sign the new agreement. It found that her claim failed because the changes were justifiable, and would have been applied to any member of staff, regardless of sex.

Mrs Dodsworth, who plans to return to work today after a long lay-off, said she was glad she brought the case despite losing.

She said: "I have to go back to work for my own self respect.

"I've stood up for what I believe in, and even though I've lost, I'm glad I did it.

"After all, what kind of person would I be if I let my employers walk all over me?

"It's not as if I don't like working here, I absolutely love it, in fact.

"I just hope that there will be no recriminations when I go back.

"I'm pretty safe in saying that the staff supported me, so I'm hoping they stick by me when I walk through the door."

Club manager Phil Armstrong said it was inappropriate for him to comment on the case