A senior Brighton University lecturer forced to stop work because of ill-health claimed she was a victim of disability discrimination at an employment tribunal.

Thalia Tabary-Peterssen, a media studies lecturer at the University, accused her managers of treating her unfairly.

The university denies her allegations.

Ms Tabary-Peterssen, who suffers from anxiety, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome, became ill in 1999 and has not yet returned to work.

She told the Brighton tribunal she was capable of working again if the university phased her return and adjusted her workload.

She wanted to reduce the amount of hours she spent teaching and spend more time on other duties.

But, after meetings with her managers, she had failed to reach an agreement.

Ms Tabary-Peterssen, of Sussex Square, Brighton, said: "Work was a stressful place and my general health deteriorated."

She said her symptoms included difficulty walking and sleeping.

She said her consultant neurologist and consultant psychologist were both of the opinion her condition had worsened as a result of the university's inability to agree the terms on which she could return to work.

Ms Tabary-Peterssen, who started work at the university in 1994, said she struggled with staff and resource problems and there were difficulties between lecturers.

She had made repeated complaints about the problems but said no action was taken.

She claimed the university's detrimental view of her coloured its treatment of her.

The hearing continues.