Transport and General Workers' Union member Barry Willans of Stretton, Staffordshire, became the first individual ever to take a private firm to court for stress.

Having worked for 32 years with Reckitt and Colman, he was the longest serving employee at his workplace but was dismissed for alleged 'incapability' in 1994.

Mr Willans had worked his way from the shop floor to the post of manufacturing superintendent. In 1991, he was given increased responsibilities but reduced support staff. Stress-induced anxiety and depression was diagnosed as being caused "by an increased amount of pressure at work".

Derby County Court ruled that the stress was caused by pressure to meet performance targets set for him. The company should have adjusted his duties or offered assistance to avoid him being placed under dangerous levels of stress.

The Court said that "the defendants, knowing that Mr Willans' problems might have had their origins in pressure of work, continued to subject him to that pressure and, indeed, took steps that had the effect of increasing it".

The court awarded Mr Willans £55,000. His lawyer noted: "[The case] shows employers that stress related illness is as real as physical illness. It could pave the way for many more cases".