A train conductor claimed gossip and graffiti about her sex life by workmates made her ill with depression.

Sarah Mack, who worked for Connex SouthCentral, the former operator of train services in the region, was sacked because of ill-health.

Miss Mack, who lives in Bognor, is claiming compensation at an employment tribunal for sexual discrimination. She told the Brighton hearing yesterday she was the victim of sexual gossip and innuendo.

Miss Mack, who is still receiving medical treatment for depression, claimed her former bosses failed to investigate her complaints about the harassment or give her any support. The company denies the allegations.

Miss Mack, who was based at the Barnham depot, said the gossip started last summer after colleagues learnt of her new relationship with train driver Bob Dorkins.

She said graffiti about her was written in the male staff toilet at the depot and in the guards' compartments on trains, a male colleague sent her sexually-explicit letters and she heard colleagues were talking about her.

She told the hearing: "There was a prejudice against me that was sexual. I was being treated less favourably compared to other male workers."

She was signed off sick in September and requested a meeting with her managers in October where she complained about harassment. She claimed a senior member of staff told her to toughen up. She was sacked in December due to her ill-health.

During cross-examination she admitted she had made complaints about colleagues in the past which had been dealt with by the company to her satisfaction.

She also admitted there were other aspects of her job she was not happy with.

Mr Dorkins told the hearing Miss Mack was a lively and charismatic person before she started suffering from depression.

He said he heard sexual jokes about her but he could not remember their content or who told them.

The case continues.