A lesbian couple are taking their employees to court for discrimination after colleagues made fun of their sexuality, with one branding their sexuality "disgusting."

In 2006, former saleswomen Beth Moules and Sharleen Amos began working for Aquatec Rainsoft which makes water purification systems.

The pair told a hearing how a colleague had told staff the pair had performed a threesome with their sales manager being "the meat sandwich between them."

"They were laughing and joking about our sexuality in conversation and it's an attack against us as lesbian women so I felt extremely raw and angry about it," said Miss Moules.

The tribunal heard that the pair were "exceptional" employees, with Miss Moules making more than £44,000 in 18 months, reports The Telegraph. Miss Amos has since resigned from the company.

The couple said the firm ignored their complaints and were told to stop complaining because "lesbians had never and would never suffer in the way that Jews did."

Miss Amos, who lives with Miss Moules in Swindon, is claiming sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal at the tribunal in Bristol, with Miss Moules claiming sexual discrimination.

The company denies both allegations. The hearing continues.