A man sacked after he developed muscular dystrophy took his firm to a tribunal to 'show that disabled people should not be thrown on the scrapheap' -- and won.

Bill Howard, 62, of Green Furlong, Berinsfield, was diagnosed with the disease while he worked for Morecambe-based Cannon Hygiene at its Hithercroft industrial estate depot in Wallingford.

He was dismissed, but took the firm to an employment tribunal in Reading.

The tribunal agreed he had been unfairly dismissed, that Cannon Hygiene had failed to make reasonable adjustments to his work after he became disabled, and that the complaint of disability-related discrimination succeeded.

Mr Howard must wait until April 27 to see how much compensation he will be awarded.

He said: "I gave that firm everything I had. I was a supervisor in the road cleansing department and we were involved in street cleaning for South Oxfordshire District Council.

"I worked all the hours I could for them from when I joined in March 1997.

"But when I was officially diagnosed with muscular dystrophy they dumped me on June 1, 2005. They left me on the scrapheap.

"I was angry and decided to go to a tribunal because I wanted to show that disabled people should not be dumped as I was.

"I hope this decision will make other companies sit up and take notice that disabled people can work and have a right to work.

"I'm unemployed now and at my age cannot get another job. I'm bitterly disappointed at what happened with Cannon Hygiene."

But Mr Howard had nothing but praise for Didcot and Wallingford Citizens Advice Bureau.

Ian Vanmaanen, of the bureau, represented Mr Howard at the two-day hearing.

Mr Howard said: "It was a big gamble going to the tribunal, but they did a wonderful job for me."

When asked about Mr Howard, the company at its Morecambe HQ would not say anything except: "We are disappointed with the outcome and are seeking advice on appeal."

A spokesman for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign charity said: "We were shocked to hear of Bill Howard's dismissal. Sadly, it illustrates there is still a lack of comprehension in many businesses in this country over the issues and rights of people with disabilities.

"It is encouraging, however, to see that Bill has the support of an employment tribunal and has, crucially, won his case."