A firefighter who objected to sexy antics, foul language, swimming and volleyball sessions while his watch was on duty, claims he was victimised after complaining.

A tribunal heard that on one occasion a member of Red Watch at Worthing fire station forgot his swimming trunks and an appliance was sent to his home to fetch them.

Jamie Gordon, 35, resigned from the service in September last year when he felt his complaints about the Red Watch had been "covered up" after taking them through the office of West Sussex Fire Brigade's official procedures.

At the Brighton industrial tribunal Mr Gordon, a single parent, of Ham Road, Worthing, said he hastily resigned from the service after being told he was to be transferred to White Watch.

The tribunal heard Mr Gordon was regarded as a "troublemaker" and was so unpopular with fellow officers on his watch, who called him a "grass" that they petitioned to have him transferred.

Mr Gordon asked for his job back an hour later via a colleague and the brigade arranged for an interview with Martin Burrell, the West Sussex chief fire officer.

However, Mr Burrell refused to reinstate him, telling the tribunal that because Firefighter Gordon had brought up matters during a two-year period, he was a "wound that would continue grow".

Mr Gordon claims he was unfairly dismissed.

Mr Gordon, a fire officer for almost 12 years, said he was concerned about the way Sub-Officer Bird ran Red Watch at Worthing.

In a statement read to the tribunal, he told how on an off-duty night out, fellow fire officer Kate Goman had her skirt lifted up outside a nightclub so everyone, including members of the public, could see her underwear.

Regular volleyball and swimming sessions were allegedly arranged at the leisure centre.

Mr Gordon claimed the watch would deliberately take a long route back to the station at the end of the shift to claim overtime.

Peter Bennett, representing Mr Gordon, said: "He was an exemplary firefighter who feels he was victimised after lodging a complaint about bullying and harassment.

"When he resigned after being told his complaints had not been substantiated, he resigned in the heat of the moment and then an hour later asked for his job back."

Mr Burrell said the brigade had asked for firm evidence about the complaints and none had been provided by Mr Gordon.

He said there had been no contact with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) following Mr Gordon's resignation.

"If the FBU had felt a firefighter had been unfairly sacked I am sure they would have come out on strike in support of a colleague."

The tribunal's decision was adjourned until May 13.