A Catholic woman has begun legal action against a Jewish-owned business because she claims she was banned from wearing a crucifix at work.

Jamie Errico was fired from her sales job at watch store Concepts in Time in Manhattan last year.

However the 41-year-old is now alleging that she was discriminated against by the Orthodox owner Saul Jemal, because other staff members were permitted to wear kippot or necklaces with the star of David on.

Ms Errico has accused Mr Jemal of reducing her pay for leaving early on Christmas Eve, despite a policy which allowed religious Jews to finish work before festivals.

Earlier in 2010 the store sued Ms Errico for attempting to steal the client list. That case was dismissed.