TWO security guards who were unfairly dismissed have been awarded a total of £42,000 in compensation.

Bill Kerr, 58, and Peter Kneeshaw, 46, worked for Chubb, providing security at Cummins Engines, in Darlington.

They were sacked after Chubb's acting area manager visited and found they were not working the hours stated on company documents.

However, at the Newcastle tribunal in March, it was revealed they were working more hours than they should have been, and were working the hours requested by previous area manager Kevin Daley, manager of the Cummins site, who was on sick leave.

Mr Kerr, of Lowson Street, Darlington, received £29,927 compensation.

He was sacked on September 11 last year and had 18 years' experience in the security industry, following 22 years' service in the RAF.

Mr Kneeshaw, of Zetland Street, Darlington, received £12,334. He was dismissed on September 4 last year and had four years' experience.

A GMB union spokeswoman said: "It was a disgrace that Mr Kerr and Mr Kneeshaw, two loyal and dedicated employees, were sacked for obeying orders and working to a local agreement that had worked well for both parties for some time."

No-one at Chubb was available for comment last night.