A law student has been awarded £5,000 in compensation in a discrimination case after being sacked from a Chinese restaurant for being white.

David O’Neill, 19, had worked as a waiter at the Ocean Dragon restaurant in Birmingham, until his shifts were cut down when new management came in.

The student, who represented himself at the employment tribunal, said he was treated in a "clearly racist" manner: "I was quite happy to work alongside the Chinese staff even though I was the only non-Chinese employee. But the manager obviously wasn’t happy working with me.

"I felt I was being discriminated against because I was white. I was frustrated, angry and upset. They were treating me in a manner which was clearly racist."

O’Neill eventually complained to management, who did not acknowledge he had worked there.

He told the Birmingham Mail he felt he had "no option but to begin legal proceedings."

His £5,322.89 payout included £2,000 for injury to his feelings.

However the restaurant has yet to payout - and if they fail to give O'Neill the money High Court bailiffs will be called in.