A Croydon Tesco worker is suing the supermarket for harassment and race discrimination after a colleague reportedly "farted in his face".

Atif Masood, 42, a Thornton Heath customer assistant, is demanding £20,000 in compensation, claiming the fart was one of a number of acts of bullying he experienced because of his race and religion.

Although an internal investigation found "sufficient evidence" of the alleged fart in CCTV footage, Tesco denies Mr Masood’s treatment amounted to harassment or discrimination.

Mr Masood, represented by Rahman Lowe Solicitors, has taken his case to the South London employment tribunal, claiming his employer did not investigate his claims properly and is yet to apologise.

According to the Evening Standard, legal papers show Mr Masood claims there was a culture of racism in the store, which lead to him experiencing discrimination because of his Muslim faith and Pakistani heritage.

Mr Masood raised the farting incident with senior staff in December, claiming that a colleague had 'broken wind' in the presence of another worker, with the two members of staff laughing at him.

He also claims he was sent ‘derogatory’ Whatsapp messages, and heard a colleague say ‘Muslims are terrorists’.

According to reports, Mr Masood raised the issue earlier this year, but no evidence of racial discrimination was found.

Whilst Tesco accepts the farting incident took place, they deny Mr Masood was discriminated against due to his race or religion.

The hearing is scheduled for next year.