A Lesbian estate agent who claimed she was sacked from a gay-friendly company because her boss found out she was pregnant has been awarded £13,000 by a tribunal.

Corrina Slow told a tribunal her boss at 2Let estate agency was angry with her for deliberately getting pregnant while working for his company and that he dismissed her without giving a reason.

The company's rainbow advertising boards are a familiar sight in Brighton and Hove. Miss Slow, 27, of College Place, Kemp Town, Brighton, had been working in the office in Western Road, Hove, when she became pregnant after receiving artificial insemination at a private clinic last May.

She pursued the company for unfair dismissal and sexual discrimination.

Her boss Kevin Newman had told the hearing that he dismissed Miss Slow due to her poor performance and knew nothing about the pregnancy until the following day.

But a Brighton employment tribunal heard yesterday that Miss Slow was sacked because Mr Newman did not want to fork out maternity pay.

Miss Slow lives with her girlfriend Hilary Noble, 33, a bus driver, and three-month-old daughter Edith.

Charles Twiss, chairman of the panel, said: "Taking all the evidence into account, we are satisfied beyond any reasonable doubt that the reason for the dismissal was pregnancy."

Mr Twiss said even if Mr Newman had not noticed Ms Slow's pregnancy bump which he said would be understandable because it was not very large at the time he had been told she was carrying a child. He added: "He felt he had to get rid of the claimant to avoid keeping her on and paying maternity pay."

Miss Slow was employed as a lettings negotiator at 2Let in April last year and was promoted to manager three months later.

Mr Newman and his partner own 2Let along with 4Sale in Kemp Town under their umbrella company Kilmaurs (Holdings).

The estate agency specialises in finding homes for gay couples.

Miss Slow was awarded £7,000 for loss of earnings, £5,000 for injuries to her feelings and £1,000 aggravated damages for the manner in which she was fired.

Miss Slow said afterwards: "I think the decision was fair and I'm just looking forward to moving on and enjoying being with Hilary and Edith."

Mr Newman said in a statement: "We are disappointed that the tribunal has not recognised and supported the ethical, successful business we have worked hard to build over the last five years. We are delighted to put this behind us and it is our sincere hope that Miss Slow can do the same."