A MENTAL health hospital research and development manager - sacked for taking too many unauthorised early finishes - has lost his claim for unfair dismissal.

Former Calderstones Hospital worker John Lobley, of Barrowford, claimed he was axed from the Whalley-based institution while suffering from a depressive illness.

But after deliberating for a month, a three-strong industrial tribunal panel has thrown out his claim.

Lawyers representing Calderstones told the Manchester hearing in March, that Mr Lobley's line manager, John Caldwell, had arrived at his office frequently to discuss work and not been able to locate him.

Mr Caldwell denied there had ever been an agreement over home working between the pair, which had resulted in a number of other unauthorised absences.

Cross-examined by Calderstones counsel Ed Morgan, Mr Lobley accepted that his performance had suffered following the tragic death of his son-in-law in 2004, closely followed by a marked deterioration in his mother's health.

But when disciplinary action was taken he expected to be reprimanded rather than fired, the tribunal was told.

Mr Lobley said: "I thought they would have looked after me and taken into account the work I had done for the trust in the past."

The hospital trust, based in Milton Road, had also faced a disability discrimination claim, earlier in the proceedings, but this was dropped in October.

Graham Jowett, Director of Corporate Strategy at Calder-stones NHS Trust, said: "I can confirm that the employment tribunal concluded that the trust had acted as a reasonable employer.

"We are now looking to work in partnership with a local university to develop research projects, the results of which will enhance the lives of adults with a learning disability who require our specialist care."

This week Calderstones has taken the first steps on the road to replace Mr Lobley's research and develop-ment role.

While the industrial claim has been ongoing the trust has seconded a staff member from the psychological treat-ment department for the job - but a more permanent solution must now be found.

In a paper presented to the trust's board, chief executive Russ Pearce warned that funding from the Department of Health for research depends on new schemes being formulated.

Mr Pearce favours a joint appointment with Lancaster University for a senior lecturer to oversee the research activity on a three-year rolling contract.

Raising the trust's research profile is considered vital for the trust's foundation hospital status bid.