A FORMER Scotswoman of the Year is fighting an unfair sacking claim against a charity for the elderly.

Mrs Peggy O'Donnell was sacked last year for gross misconduct by the Dixon Community, a project to help the elderly and housebound in the South Side of Glasgow.

An industrial tribunal in Glasgow heard yesterday that Mrs O'Donnell, who had worked with the project for 18 years, was accused of disloyalty after a threat by voluntary street wardens, who help look after the housebound, to break away from the scheme because of mounting discontent.

Mrs O'Donnell, a co-ordinator with the project that helped more than 400 elderly people, was summoned to a fact-finding meeting. Mr Noel Rogers, an executive committee member, said he was asked to chair it as he had no previous involvement in the case. He said he felt he gave her a fair hearing.

She was accused of allowing a meeting of street wardens to take place and of bringing the Dixon Community into disrepute by allowing the street wardens to conduct a very public campaign.

Mr Rogers said he didn't know if Mrs O'Donnell made efforts to stop it or if she was able to stop it.

He claimed there was disloyalty on her part as she failed to give evidence to the executive committee about a breakaway movement of the wardens. He said there was evidence that she would not stop the street wardens and if they left she might join them.

Mr Rogers told the tribunal he knew there was a history of unhappiness among the street wardens but he didn't know how long it had been developing.

Asked if there was a personality clash between Mrs O'Donnell and others, he said: ''There seemed to be a personality clash between Mrs O'Donnell and all the witnesses. I don't know the reason.'' The volunteers no longer provide the service and it is now done by paid sessional workers.

After her dismissal, the Dixon Community attempted to sue some of the volunteers for allegedly removing money from the community's bank accounts.

The tribunal heard that Mrs O'Donnell was Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year in 1993. She wants the tribunal to order her reinstatement.

Ms Winifred Scott, vice chairwoman of the executive committee, said after the volunteers left members visited clients they understood to be housebound, but were surprised to find many were out. They were able to attend day centres on their own and were joining in dancing classes.

She told the tribunal that the job Mrs O'Donnell did was no longer there. She said they would not be able to trust her because of her previous conduct if she did come back.

The hearing continues.