A factory worker who said he was forced to resign from his job after his boss called him "thick" has lost his claim for compensation.

Liam Douch told an employment tribunal he was upset and embarrassed when managing director Bill Griffiths swore and shouted at him in front of workmates at Circuit Express, a circuit board manufacturer based at Lancing Business Park.

Mr Douch, 49, from Durrington, near Worthing, claimed constructive dismissal. But his case was rejected by the tribunal, which described part of his complaint as "trivial".

Mr Douch, now working for a catering firm who had previously employed him, told the Brighton hearing he resigned in February because of his boss.

Mr Douch had worked for Circuit Express for three years as a plater.

He said swearing was common on the factory floor among the workers but he claimed Mr Griffiths harassed and verbally abused him.

Mr Douch claimed the first incident was last November when Mr Griffiths unfairly blamed him for a mistake and swore at him.

The next incident was in January on the first day back at work after the Christmas break. Mr Douch admitted he started eating a sandwich as soon as he arrived at work while Mr Griffiths was under pressure trying to get machinery repaired.

Mr Douch said Mr Griffiths swore at him and made a rude reference to the fact that he had recently asked workmates to help him change a tyre on his car.

He said: "It obviously aggravated him seeing me standing there eating a sandwich while he was working.

"He came up closely and shouted: 'You are thick. Why don't you f*** off back to catering.'

"He said I had no mechancial sense and I could not even change a f***ing tyre. He said I might be all right peeling an onion.

"He was very annoyed with me. He came fairly close to my face and his teeth were gritted and he was red in the face.

"I had lost face with other employees at work and felt I could not stay there."

Mr Douch said he did not respond to the abuse at the time or seven weeks later when he resigned.

Mr Griffiths, who employs eight staff, denied treating Mr Douch unfairly. He told the tribunal he was surprised when he heard about the legal action.

He said Mr Douch had a good relationship with him and he believed he decided to resign for other reasons unconnected with the two incidents at work.

He admitted swearing at Mr Douch on both occasions. He said the second time, when Mr Douch was eating the sandwich, had made him very angry.

He denied calling him thick, but admitted shouting at him.

He said: "When he resigned I told him I could leave the job open for him in case he changed his mind. I did not connect him leaving with me shouting.

"He was part of the family. I was absolutely bowled over by him bringing a case to the tribunal. I could not believe it."