A call centre worker whose request not to work evenings and weekends after she had a baby was turned down has won a sex discrimination case.

Deborah Clarke from Dudley, asked her employers Telewest if she could work flexibly on her return from maternity leave.

Her request was turned down and she resigned from her job in 2003, claiming that she suffered stress and financial hardship.

She claimed indirect sex discrimination and constructive unfair dismissal which was upheld by a Birmingham employment tribunal.

Ms Clarke said: "I am delighted to have won this case and hope that this will force Telewest to be more accommodating to workers with childcare commitments who find it difficult to work late and weekend shifts."

The level of compensation she will receive will be decided at a later hearing.

Jenny Watson, acting chairwoman of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), which supported the case said: "The decision reinforces a simple, and by now well known, fact. Employers need to make it easier for employees to combine work with their childcare commitments.

"By refusing Ms Clarke's request for flexible working, Telewest have lost a valuable employee with seven years of experience and now face significant legal costs."

The EOC said half of all pregnant women experienced unfair treatment and some were denied the chance to return to work because of "blatantly unsuitable" working arrangements.