NORTH Yorkshire Police faces another embarrassing sex discrimination case, this time brought by its once most senior female officer.

Lyn Smith, 46, who was Acting Superintendent at Selby police station, is taking the force to an industrial tribunal alleging that she was overlooked for promotion because of her gender.

North Yorkshire Police is still trying to recover from the damaging sex bias case brought by Libby Ashurst at Harrogate last year. Ms Ashurst won a six-figure sum in an out-of-court settlement.

And earlier this week, the force was slammed in a report by Her Majesty's Inspector, John Stevens, for its lack of commitment to women.

Divorcee Ms Smith joined Selby Police last August from Harrogate, where she held the rank of Chief Inspector.

But earlier this year, Ms Smith, who no longer lives in the county, retired on health grounds. It was reported today that she is expected to allege at the tribunal that she was overlooked for promotion by former Chief Constable David Burke and other senior officers.

The date was originally listed for June 8 but it has now been postponed.A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "We can confirm the case is listed for hearing and that the force intends to contest it."

Ms Smith told the Evening Press, when she joined Selby, that she had originally opted for the glamour of life as an air stewardess before realising at the interview stage that it was not for her.

Instead, she walked into Harrogate police station in 1973 and asked for a job.It was in January 1977 that she was transferred to Selby where, during her 17 months there, she had a spell as an acting sergeant. She said: "I got my only two commendations of my whole service at Selby."

She was also once commended by magistrates for her part in arresting a man wielding two knives.

Ms Smith also worked as an instructor at four different police training centres.

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