A married couple who ran a Brighton pub were sacked after a catalogue of complaints about their drunken behaviour.

Rick and Linda Voiello, former managers of the Ladies Mile pub in Patcham, were accused of frequently being drunk behind the bar and rowing in front of customers.

The couple deny the allegations and claim they were sacked without warning in January and forced to leave the flat above the pub.

They are claiming compensation for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal against their former employers, Golden Lion Inns, a company based at Brighton Marina.

The company admits it failed to operate a fair disciplinary procedure, but claims it was forced to sack the couple because the pub was losing money and customers.

Mark Arneil, the operations manager, told the Brighton hearing the decision to sack the couple for gross misconduct and breaching licensing regulations was made after he discovered the pub open at 12.45am and accused Mr Voiello of being "legless".

The couple, he claimed, had been repeatedly warned about their behaviour and poor performance.

But the most serious problem was the high amount of stock shortages, involving about £3,500.

Mr Voiello was accused of swearing at two charity collectors and on one occasion a customer claimed he drank one-and-a-half pints of vodka in 20 minutes.

He was criticised for referring to the company managing director, Dave Day, as "Doris".

Other complaints also included allegations that the couple had watered-down spirits, used the contents of the beer drip-tray, claimed personal expenses through the till and given promotional gifts to friends.

Mr Arneil said: "You cannot have drunken licensees stumbling around the place. We want our managers completely in charge of their faculties."

Mr Voiello, who now runs The Star, in Dorking, Surrey, denied the couple had received warnings about their conduct.

He blamed cold weather, last winter's flu epidemic and competition from a neighbouring pub for the fall in takings. He added: "I had numerous drinks with customers because I saw it as part of my job to have a drink."

The hearing was adjourned.