Grandfather Christopher Joyce has won £4,500 in compensation after successfully claiming that an Oxford pub landlady refused to serve him on Father's Day because he was a traveller.

Racial equality leaders said last night the case was the first of its kind in Oxfordshire and would set a precedent for the future.

The 72-year-old father-of-13 visited the Blue Mile pub in Littlemore with his family for a drink on June 20 last year.

But he said their celebrations were cut short when Carol Griffiths, the licensee, refused to serve him because he was a traveller.

Mr Joyce said he immediately contacted the police and Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council, and as a result the pub company and Mrs Griffiths were prosecuted under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act, 2000 by the Commission for Racial Equality.

Last month, at Oxford County Court, the pub, with Mrs Griffiths named as second defendant, was ordered to pay Mr Joyce £2,500 for injury to his feelings, and a further £2,000 damages, with £3,000 court costs, a total of £7,500.

Yesterday, Mr Joyce, of Redbridge Hollow, off Old Abingdon Road, told the Oxford Mail: "When I came to this country from Ireland in 1953 there were signs up in the boarding houses saying 'No Irish, no blacks and no dogs'. I thought the situation had improved since then, so I was shocked to be told I was not being served because I was a traveller. It was very upsetting.

"When we get the compensation money, we will go back to the Blue Mile and try to order a drink."

Announcing the case for the first time, Mazamel Yaqoob, acting director for Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council, called it "blatant racism" and said the judgement would set a precedent.

She added: "Race relations legislation is there for a reason. This should send a message to all publicans and breweries that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated."

Last night, Mrs Griffiths said she told Mr Joyce he would not be served because he and his family had failed to leave the King of Prussia pub in Rose Hill, where she previously worked, quickly enough at drinking up time. She added: "I'm not a racist and I have nothing against the Irish or the travelling community - in fact this is more or less known as an Irish pub.

"I wasn't aware that the judgement had been made against us and I will be discussing the payment of the fine with the pub company."

Mick Sheridan, a spokesman for Maidstone-based React Inns Ltd, which owns the Blue Mile, said: "The parties involved were not barred because they were travellers.

"We will be seeking legal advice regarding the case."

The Joyce family deny causing any trouble at the King of Prussia.