A HEALTH trust, which won a case against a former nurse who claimed she was bullied to the point of suicide by a ward sister, has said it does not tolerate bullying of any kind.

Mary Lanigan, 51, claimed she was "constantly humiliated" in a 12-month bullying campaign by sister Susan Thompson, a court heard.

But on Thursday, Judge Judith Moir rejected her claims and found in favour of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.

Mrs Lanigan had been a nurse at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, until her resignation.

In a statement yesterday, the trust said it was "delighted" it had been cleared.

"At the time of the allegations the trust carried out its own very thorough investigation, which showed there was no case to answer," the statement read.

"This has been a very upsetting time for the staff involved, who were falsely accused.

"The trust does not tolerate bullying of any kind and has a very clear harassment policy."

Newcastle County Court heard that Mrs Lanigan had resigned from her post of staff nurse and was left needing psychiatric treatment in connection with stress.

During the grievance hearing that followed her resignation, Mrs Lanigan claimed Mrs Thompson admitted verbally abusing her.

Mrs Lanigan, from Danby, North Yorkshire, took legal action against the health trust, claiming it was negligent in allowing her to be bullied.

Had she won the case, she could have received up to £50,000 in damages.

Mrs Lanigan declined to comment after the case.