Bajinder Sahota, of Emmott Drive, told an employment tribunal this week that a racist remark made by his manager "violated his dignity".

The claim had been opposed by Ford, where Mr Sahota worked for 28 years as a tool machinist.

A previous tribunal which decided Mr Sahota had been racially harassed was adjourned to decide how much compensation should be awarded.

Exactly what the human resources manager was alleged to have said to Mr Sahota was not revealed and neither the company or Mr Sahota would comment after the hearing.

But Mr Sahota, who is of Asian origin, was said to be shocked and offended. He accused the company of treating him badly and failing to take his complaint seriously. He said he was suffering from stress and had developed heart trouble, resulting in an operation.

When the Ford foundry closed, Mr Sahota was moved to the company's plant at Daventry. He later took voluntary redundancy.

Tribunal chairman Mary Cocks said the tribunal panel did not think Mr Sahota's medical condition had been linked to the racist remark, which had been a "one-off" incident.

Ms Cocks added that the £3,000 compensation was for injury to feelings as part of the racial harassment claim.