A Tesco worker is suing the supermarket chain and claiming he suffered racism after a senior colleague farted in his face.

Atif Masood, 42, is a customer assistant at a branch in Thornton Heath, south London and he is demanding £20,000 in compensation because of the 'bullying'.

He says a colleague broke wind in his face while another watched and laughed as part of a campaign of acts against him because of his Muslim background.

Tesco denies that the man has suffered discrimination - though an internal investigation revealed that there was sufficient evidence of the farting allegation being true.

He is demanding £20,000 in compensation because of the 'bullying'. He claims he suffered racist abuse - though the supermarket chain deny it

Rather than racism, Tesco's investigation found that the incident and statements were intended 'as a joke'.

Mr Masood believes that he is being 'bullied' by colleagues in the store and in legal papers claimed it was because he is Pakistani.

The papers were submitted to the London South employment tribunal and a hearing is due to take place next year.

Mr Masood also claims in the papers, seen by the Evening Standard, that he received abuse on Whatsapp and received comments such as 'Muslims are terrorists'.

He also says that he was abused in front of customers.

The documents claim that the farting incident occurred in December last year and was in the presence of another worker.

The papers were submitted to the London South employment tribunal (pictured) and a hearing is due to take place next year

Both workers are said to have started laughing at Mr Masood after the one 'broke wind in his face'.

Through Rahman Lowe Solicitors, Mr Masood says the incident was: 'Unwanted conduct which had the purpose or effect of violating his dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating and/or offensive [situation].'

Mr Masood has worked for Tesco since 2006 and first raised the matter internally.

In February this year, Tesco upheld the farting allegation but said that there was no evidence of racial discrimination.

The supermarket chain also said that Mr Masood's colleague denies farting in his face.

In papers to the employment tribunal, Tesco said that Mr Masood failed to substantiate his allegations and also denied all claims on behalf of the shop assistant's accused colleagues.

In the papers, Tesco added: 'For the avoidance of any doubt, the respondents deny that they discriminated against (whether directly or indirectly), harassed or victimised the claimant because of, or for a reason related to race, religion or belief, as alleged in the claim form, or at all.'

A Tesco spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Everyone is welcome at Tesco regardless of their gender, race, background or education. We are unable to comment on ongoing legal proceedings or the specifics of this case.'