A RADIO station boss says she was aware of concerns about the performance and conduct of Star Radio's commercial director and her dismissal came as "no surprise".

Dawn Carney has told an employment tribunal that she was unfairly dismissed from her job at the Darlington-based station after challenging Star managing director John Clayton about his "inappropriate behaviour" towards her.

However, Mr Clayton and Star parent company UKRD Group Ltd claim Miss Carney, 37, from Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, was sacked because of her performance.

Sarah Barry, managing director of Star sister station, Harrogate's Stray FM, was temporarily in charge of the Darlington station following the departure of managing director Mark Reason.

Miss Carney claims Mr Clayton made a number of sexist remarks to her, including telling her he wanted to employ women with "blonde hair and big boobs" like hers.

It is also alleged that Mr Clayton inappropriately touched Miss Carney's leg during a staff night out.

In a further incident, which the claimant said highlighted the culture of sexism at the station, the tribunal in Newcastle was told that an advert was broadcast on air which said that everyone at the station had been given presents by the managing director - and that Miss Carney had received a pearl necklace.

However, Ms Barry said in her witness statement she did not believe Miss Carney would have remained silent if she was being mistreated.

She added: "She is not the type of person who would have kept quiet or feared from informing William (Rogers, UKRD Group chief executive) or even raising a formal complaint.

"She has a strong personality and was very vocal. I enjoyed a good working relationship with her and there is no reason for her not to have contacted me."

Ms Barry said that as part of the senior management team at UKRD, she was aware of concerns about Miss Carney's performance and conduct before her dismissal.

"John had raised his concerns and reservations about Dawn and the decision to dismiss her came as no surprise to me," she said.

Employment judge John Hunter and the two other panel members retired to consider their decision on Thursday.

They are expected to finish their deliberations on Friday. It is not known if the outcome of the hearing will be announced immediately.