Two members of an airline cabin crew who claim they were unfairly sacked are hoping to reach a financial settlement with their former bosses.

Lisa Chambers and Hayley Crequer, who worked for Britannia Airways, are claiming compensation at an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal.

But yesterday the case was adjourned for both sides to try to settle the legal action.

The adjournment followed an indication by chairman Michael Kolanko that there were concerns about the airline's evidence.

The women lost their jobs after they removed seatbelts from two front seats on a Boeing 757 flight from the Canary Islands to Gatwick in November 2000 in order to ensure no passengers sat in them.

They intended to make space for the cabin crew to work.

Ms Chambers, of Lyon Close, Crawley, and Ms Crequer, of Oakwood Road, Horley, claimed it was common practice to remove the belts.

The company denied treating the women unfairly. It claimed they had breached safety regulations and put passengers and staff at risk.

But the tribunal heard there was nothing in the safety documentation which told cabin crew they must never remove seatbelts or warn them they would be dismissed if they did.

Both women believe they were treated too harshly and should have been disciplined in another way.