A distinguished Surrey and Sussex police firearms officer who was removed from his post after failing a hearing test has won a discrimination claim.

Pc Bruce Shields, 39, had suffered high frequency hearing loss during his career as a marksman.

An employment tribunal heard his hearing impairment had never caused operational difficulty during his "distinguished" 12 years of firearms service.

Married father-of-two Mr Shields had been involved in a number of armed operations, including one which led to him being awarded a Chief Constable's commendation.

In a judgment, the tribunal said that Mr Shields, from Petersfield, Hampshire, "underwent rigorous and frequent training, and was repeatedly assessed very positively".

But, after a firearms officers' training curriculum was introduced by the College Of Policing in 2013, he was removed from firearms duties.

It followed a test in May last year which found Mr Shields' "high frequency hearing loss in his right ear exceeded the maximum permissible".

Mr Shields sued Surrey and Sussex Police - which now have a joint firearms command - claiming he was the victim of disability discrimination.

His case, brought under sections 15,19 and 20 of the Equality Act, also claimed he had been indirectly discriminated against and that "reasonable adjustments" had not been made.

Police denied discrimination, saying that in relation to the first two claims its decisions were "proportionate". They also denied failing to make reasonable adjustments for Mr Shields.

A functional test of hearing ability carried out by the London Fire Service (LFS) was identified but Mr Shields was not offered an opportunity to take it.

The judgment said that the LFS test was "the best available test" with "sufficient operational similarities between the police and the fire service".

It added: "In our judgment, it would have been reasonable for the claimant to undertake the LFS test, and accordingly reasonable to defer a conclusion until after the claimant had done so."

In a unanimous judgment, the tribunal ruled: "The respondents discriminated against (Mr Shields) contrary to section 20 of the Equality Act 2010 ... by failing to make reasonable adjustments, in failing to arrange for him to undertake the London Fire Service functional test of his hearing ability.

"Save as above, all the claimants claims of disability discrimination, howsoever formulated, fail and are dismissed."

Mr Shields joined Surrey Police in 1998, completing his firearms officer training in 2001. In 1999, an ear infection left him with partial hearing loss in his right ear.

Mr Shields, who still works for Surrey Police in a temporary training capacity, said he hoped a satisfactory remedy would now follow and that he would be able to continue his career.

He said: "I would like to thank the court in reaching a balanced and considered verdict. I am very pleased with the result and hope, as a result of this action, future officers may benefit from the judgment."

Mr Shields' lawyer, Simon Cuthbert, said police needed to take the ruling seriously to ensure it does not happen again.

Mr Cuthbert, an employment law specialist at Slater and Gordon, said: "It's extremely disappointing that Mr Shields was discriminated against in this way.

"He was an exemplary firearms officer and should have been given the opportunity to take the test that could have proved he was capable of doing his job."

A Surrey Police spokesman said: "Surrey Police is aware of the results of the employment tribunal and will fully consider the findings before making any decisions.

"The force will consult with the College Of Policing and consider any legal advice as part of this ongoing process."