A former colleague of a nurse accused of murdering an elderly patient with a drug overdose has described her appearance at work as appalling.

State Enrolled Nurse Joan Lilley worked with Alison Firth at Aidan House Nursing home where she is accused of killing 84-year-old Alice Grant.

Mrs Lilley told the jury at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday how she had been shocked at the state of Ms Firth's appearance at work.

Mrs Lilley said: "Her appearance was absolutely appalling.

"She was wearing trousers like a jogger would wear and a T-shirt which was stained with food."

Mrs Lilley said that Mrs Grant was making progress and she felt shocked when she heard she had died.

Ms Firth, 36, was bored, lazy and fed up after being told of a staff shake-up at the home, in Gateshead, on May 9 last year, the court heard.

Two days later, she gave Mrs Grant a massive overdose of sedative. She died within hours, the court heard.

Ms Firth, of Huntingdon Close, Kingston Park, Newcastle, denies murdering Mrs Grant on May 12 last year.

The trial continues.