A medical receptionist who was sacked after her employers discovered how old she was has been awarded £6,000.

Ruth McNeil, from Edinburgh, was asked to leave her part time receptionist job at a doctor’s surgery when her new bosses discovered she was over 65.

Her age discrimination case was settled before it reached a public hearing in court.

Ms McNeil commented: "Apart from the metal devastation, the financial devastation, I could not believe this could happen to someone, that they could treat someone like that because of your age."

Ms McNeil, who is a grandmother of two, left a position with Marks and Spencer last year to take up the receptionist post at a doctor's surgery in the Lothians. Under the terms of the settlement, Ms McNeil’s former employer cannot be identified.

Under legislation, employers do not have to offer jobs to anyone over 65.

However, Ms McNeil claims there was no mention of age at her interview. A week into her training, she handed in a form detailing her date of birth and was told she'd have to leave.

Ms McNeil added "I wasn't worth anything that day, I was bursting into tears everywhere I turned. I had to go home that day."

Ms McNeil then began an age discrimination claim. The medical practice settled before the case went to court, awarding her the money on the basis that they did not admit liability.

Colin Macfarlane, from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "Her age shouldn't be an issue. She was skilled to do the job, she was successful in interview.

"She was taken on because they realised she was the best person to do that job and for Scotland to remain economically viable we have to ensure we have a good strong, vibrant workforce, so those who want to work, who can work and are willing to work, should be able to do so."