Selina Scott takes on Channel Five

Selina Scott (pictured), the former BBC newscaster, is taking Channel Five to an industrial tribunal after it allegedly pulled out of offering her a presenting job on the grounds that at 57 she was too old. The Daily Mail reports that the television station has attempted a settlement, but Scott wants to bring the matter to public attention to highlight ageism in broadcasting.

The orgins of the dispute date back to earlier this year when Scott was approached by the TV station to stand in for newscaster Natasha Kaplisnky while she was on maternity leave. Negotiations were well underway, but when Ben Gale, the station's newly installed director of programmes, was informed about Scott he reportedly withdrew the offer because he wanted a younger face to present the bulletins. Five went on to recruit 28-year-old Isla Traquair. Gale and Channel Five are named as defendants in the case, which is listed at the London Employment Tribunal.

Scott certainly feels strongly about the issue. She publicly attacked the BBC this year after it dropped veteran newsreader Moira Stuart. And more recently she said: "Since October, new age discrimination laws have been in place. How long will it take for television to wise up and ask itself why older women are strictly off-limits on our screens?"

However, she has a fight on her hands. Channel Five said it did not accept the claim and would be "vigorously defending" it.