An Ilford woman and six other ski resort workers have barricaded themselves inside a chalet in the French Alps for the past three days in protest against “unfair dismissal”.

Aanya Madhani, 22, had been working as a chalet host for company Skithe3v on a month-long contract when she received an email on Monday to say she was dismissed and would receive no pay, she claims.

However, company director Mark Ridgers believes the group are guilty of misdemeanours, including the crashing of a company vehicle, that mean the grounds for dismissal are valid.

Miss Madhani said: “We had been instructed by Mark to go and collect laundry on company time.

“The car skidded on black ice and crashed in to another parked car, there was nothing that we could have done.

“We believe he owes us just over �4,000 for our wages and expenses.

“All we are saying is give us what we are owed and we will leave.”

Mr Ridgers disputes the claims made by the chalet occupants, as well claiming the group used company facilities without permission.

He added: “These guys are creating a fracas out of nothing and are asking for things that are totally unreasonable.

“I could have turned off the internet and the electricity, but I have chosen not to.

“There is some middle ground to be found here and we will try to reach an amicable conclusion.”

Negotiations are ongoing between the two groups.