A PLYMOUTH man fears he is now facing the sack after refusing to take off his wedding ring at work, claiming it is a religious symbol.

City chewing gum company Wrigley has defended its decision to ban all staff from wearing jewellery after one employee refused to take off his wedding ring.

The Wrigley Company implemented the no jewellery rule recently after reviewing its health and safety policy.

But warehouse worker Anthony Kemp is worried he could be sacked from his job at the factory because he refuses to take off his wedding band.

He is now facing disciplinary action from bosses by blocking calls to remove the ring, which he says is a religious symbol.

" I am very upset because my morals and beliefs are being bulldozed," said the 51-year-old who was brought up a strict Catholic.

"I am worried about being sacked but at this time I am still refusing to take the ring off."

Mr Kemp, from Lipson, has been working for the chewing gum manufacturer for 14 years and has never had any problems before.

The ring row began at the end of March when an email was sent to staff detailing Wrigley's new jewellery policy.

"It banned all kinds of jewellery including wedding bands," said Mr Kemp.

His voiced his resistance to removing the band straight away and after a series of meetings he has now received a letter asking him to attend a disciplinary hearing.

"I was a little bemused about it all," he said.

"To me the wedding band is part of my vows, it is a commitment to love and faithfulness between partners."

His wife Danna said the couple had been married for 16 years.

"When Anthony first came home and said about it I thought 'they can't make you do that'," she said.

"And the more I thought about it I realised that it is a religious symbol and he shouldn't have to take it off."

A spokesman for the company said wearing jewellery when working with machinery could pose a health and safety risk.

"We understand that change of any kind is often uncomfortable, however we feel that it is important that the most up-to-date health and safety practices are adhered to," he said.

"This change in policy is in line with policies adhered to by many other manufacturers that have also implemented restrictions on jewellery and wedding rings within their manufacturing facilities. The Wrigley Company remains committed to building a dynamic and enjoyable working environment for its associates, in addition to manufacturing chewing gum to the highest standards of quality, and all our company policies are reflected in these aims."