A forklift driver who took time off to console his grieving girlfriend was sacked for failing to notify his employer of his absence.

Brian Cowell, 48, has lashed out at waste company Viridor, calling their treatment of him "disgusting".

Cowell, Bridgwater Mercury reported, was given compassionate leave after his partner Jackie Richmond's 23-year-old son went missing while fishing off the Dorset Coast on July 22.

His body was found on August 9.

"These past five weeks, I have been comforting my girlfriend and making arrangements for the funeral.

"I think they have probably done this because I couldn't phone up every day," Cowell says.

A Viridor spokesman says Cowell had instructions to stay in touch with the company through a 24-hour hotline, which he failed to use.

"[Viridor] sent him a series of letters asking him to let us know what was happening and when there was no response to those, he was sent a letter [of termination]."

He adds that Cowell can appeal the decision.