A gay office manager who was nicknamed Sebastian by senior colleagues at an Essex waste firm after a camp comedy series character has won £35,000 at an employment tribunal.

Robert Whitfield, 28, of Colchester, said he had been subjected to a campaign of homophobic abuse during his time working for waste Cleanaway in Brentwood.

His solicitor said he was the first worker in Britain to win a case under new legislation aimed at preventing gay workers from suffering discrimination.

Following the ruling on Friday Mr Whitfield said he was delighted at the decision and hoped it would send a clear signal to other employers.

The tribunal in Stratford, east London, heard how Mr Whitfield was continually referred to as Sebastian, in reference to the character in TVs Little Britain, an aide of the Prime Minister who is always trying to seduce his boss.

Yesterday a spokesman for the tribunal said it had found Mr Whitfield was the subject of victimisation because of his sexual orientation, unfair dismissal, and breach of contract and awarded him £35,000.

Mr Whitfield said: I am delighted. I think it is a very clear signal to everybody in England that harassment and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the workplace is unacceptable.