A Heathrow airport worker who was sacked after wearing a nose stud has been handed her job back.

Amrit Lalji, of catering firm Eurest, was dismissed when she refused to remove the stud despite wearing it for a year while with the company. She said she wore it as a symbol of her Hindu faith.

GMB, Britain's general workers union, met with Eurest last week and reports Mrs Lalji has been reinstated.

A spokesperson for Eurest said, "In the course of this research we have found that the rules relating to facial piercings are mandatory only in catering operations. Though this is not clear in the handbook, which is given to all employees, it is specific in the text of the Company's HR Directory, which is the primary source policy document.

"Since Mrs Lalji is not engaged in catering, her dismissal resulted from a misunderstanding of the rules and is therefore unjustified."

Tahir Bhatti, GMB Organiser said, "GMB is pleased to have been able to assist Mrs Lalji in this matter and welcomes Eurest's decision that she is reinstated in her position immediate and without detriment."