A GARDENER told an Employment Tribunal he was sacked from a Gillingham garden centre because of his anti-fox hunting beliefs.

Joe Hashman, had been employed by Orchard Park Garden Centre in March 2009 but in September was dismissed.

Mr Hashman, 43, of Shaftesbury, told the Southampton hearing he had a good relationship with the garden centre managing director Richard Cumming and believed he had a long-term job.

But he said he felt his position became less secure when Mr Cumming told him the majority owners of the garden centre were neighbouring farmers Sheila and Ron Clarke. The Clarkes' farm manager was Andrew Prater, whom he had clashed with during hunt protests.

In July 2009, Mr Hashman was a witness at Scarborough Magistrates' Court for a prosecution under the Hunting Act 2004, having covertly activities for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

He wrote about this and criticisms of the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Show for its "hunting influences" on an internet blog. Mr Prater had died in an accident at the show and it was on the day of the funeral, September 3, 2009, that he was asked not to return to work, Mr Hashman said.

The hearing was continuing this week.