A BOLTON worker at a Marks and Spencer store was barred from the public address system because of her Indian accent, an industrial tribunal was told.

Pravita Parma, aged 40, is claiming racial discrimination against Britain's world famous retailer at a hearing in Manchester.

The tribunal was told that Miss Parma, from Bolton but of Indian origin, was taken off the PA system by her line manager six months after she started working at the firm's flagship store in Manchester.

She now works part-time at the M&S store in Bolton.

Miss Parma claims her line manager came in to the CCTV camera room and told her: "As you have an accent I don't want you to use the tannoy any more."

The tribunal was told that Miss Parma's diligence had resulted in the renowned footage of a suspect IRA van, minutes before a massive bomb detonated and destroyed Manchester City Centre five years ago.

She trained the store's cameras on a white Ford Transit van while staff evacuated the building.

The footage was broadcast around the world, although no one has ever been brought to justice for the bombing.

The tribunal was told Miss Parma began her career as a till operator at the M&S store on Market Street in February, 1988. In April, 1994 she was promoted to CCTV operator.

Following the bombing of the Manchester store, Miss Parma was transferred to the temporary M&S store set up in the Lewis's department store building. In November, 1999 Miss Parma transferred to the flagship store, the biggest in the world, in St Mary's Gate.

She said her career continued without problems until May 1, 2000 when staff were briefed about potential problems due to anti-Capitalist demonstrations across Britain. They were told about the emergency procedures the day before, but on the day of the protest Miss Parma claims she was told not to make any further announcements.

Giving evidence, she said: "Rachel Vollends, the assistant financial manager, came into the camera room and said 'as you have an accent, I don't want you to use the tannoy any more'.

"When I asked why not, she did not give any explanation. I was shocked and offended."

When Miss Parma demanded to see her personnel officer, Kate Wood, she was given three audio tapes to listen to.

The first had a woman with a Wigan accent, the second with a Geordie accent, and the third a Mancunian accent.

Miss Wood pointed out the Mancunian accent -- recorded by a store switchboard operator -- was the appropriate polite and caring voice which should address the PA system.

On July 27, a man collapsed in the store after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Miss Parma told the tribunal: "The first aider was paged but there was no response.

"So I used my own initiative and used the PA system to call for any first aider to go to the scene immediately. Nine first aid staff members and several members of the public, including a nurse, attended to the man."

She added: "My accent was clearly understood and worked effectively then."

The tribunal was told Miss Parma's working relationship suffered, and she was victimised by fellow staff members and management.

On July 28, Miss Parma was given a formal disciplinary warning for "threatening and intimidating behaviour" towards Miss Vollends.

The same day she accepted a transfer to Bolton store where she is still employed part time.

Under cross-examination, Miss Kirsty Ayre, representing M&S, told the hearing Miss Parma was not the only member of staff told to stop using the PA.

Miss Ayre said: "Management decided only to use staff with clear speaking voices on the PA."

The hearing continues.