A SWINDON woman who claimed she was the victim of sexual discrimination has lost her case at an employment tribunal.

Christine Pratt, 46, claimed her Japanese boss told her there were no female managers in their company because in his country, "women were considered to be less intelligent". Mrs Pratt, of Henman Close, Swindon, claimed the remark was made by way of explanation for her lack of success in implementing an equal opportunities policy.

She told a tribunal she had spent a year working on it.

In a meeting to discuss her progress at Basingstoke air conditioning firm Sanden International (Europe) Ltd she said she had asked managing director Mr Tony Noji why there were no female managers at the firm.

Mr Noji is said to have replied: "In Japan we generally believe that women are less intelligent than men."

Mrs Pratt was eventually made human resources manager but left her £27,000 job after suffering from stress.

In a judgement announced today, an employment tribunal in Southampton found on the company's side.

Mrs Pratt says she may take her case to the Equal Opportunities Commission.