TWO former work colleagues of an Irishman who claims he was racially abused said they frequently saw their friend being harassed.

Barry Higgins and Jonathon Stroud both said they heard bosses and fellow members of staff at a Bolton company call Gordon Campbell "Paddy", "Pads" and "Leprechaun". Derek Collier, a director at Carpet Factors Ltd, denied he had ever called the 25-year-old racist names, and said Mr Campbell had never made any complaints. Mr Campbell of Chorley Old Road, Bolton has taken the company to an industrial tribunal, claiming racial harassment and unfair constructive dismissal.

Mr Stroud worked for Carpet Factors between February 1996 and October 1998, occasionally with Mr Campbell.

He told the tribunal in Manchester yesterday: "He was called names on a daily basis. He was called Paddy or Pads."

Mr Higgins also said Mr Campbell was racially harassed, and claimed he was treated unfairly by the company which has its head office in Farnworth and a shop on Chorley Old Road.

He said he had only reached his sales target once -- but was never disciplined like the Irishman.

Mr Collier, the first person to give evidence for the company, said at no point during Mr Campbell's employment did he ever complain he was abused. The first he knew about the alleged complaints were in the applicant's letter of resignation.

"When I read the letter I was annoyed. Not in the whole five years he was there did he made a complaint."

The hearing continues.