A nurse who claimed she was bullied to the point of suicide by a ward sister who nicknamed her "Mad Mary" has lost her claim for damages.

Mary Lanigan, 51, said she was mocked, harassed, and constantly humiliated in a 12-month campaign of "bizarre" bullying by sister Susan Thompson, a court heard.

Newcastle County Court heard the stress forced her to resign from her post of staff nurse at North Tees General Hospital, Middlesbrough, and left her needing psychiatric treatment.

After her resignation, a grievance hearing followed, during which Mrs Lanigan claims Mrs Thompson admitted verbally abusing her.

Mrs Lanigan, who lives in Danby, on the North York Moors, took legal action against North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, claiming that it was negligent in that it failed in its duty of care in allowing her to be bullied by Mrs Thompson.

If successful, she could have received up to £50,000 in damages after she said she suffered suicidal thoughts due to bullying, and was left with a depressive disorder.

Yesterday, Judge Judith Moir rejected her claims and found in favour of the trust.

Mrs Lanigan was unavailable for comment after the hearing.