An auxiliary nurse who claimed she was unfairly sacked after complaints about her work from patients has dropped her legal action for compensation.

Celia Norkett, 54, who had worked as an auxiliary for more than 20 years, made the claim for unfair dismissal from the former Eastbourne Hospitals NHS Trust at an employment tribunal.

The trust, which has since merged to become the East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, denied treating her unfairly.

Mrs Norkett, from Eastbourne, withdrew her claim after the tribunal heard evidence from the first witness in the case.

The tribunal was told a formal complaint about her performance and attitude was made about Mrs Norkett in 1999 when she was working at the Eastbourne District General Hospital. She was given a verbal warning.

She was moved to work in All Saints, another hospital in the town.

But in June 2000 there were complaints from two patients which raised concerns about her suitability to carry out the role of auxiliary nurse.

After an investigation, the trust concluded there had been a breach of standards and that she was unable to provide appropriate care for patients.

She was dismissed but appealed against the decision.

She won her appeal and the decision was taken to redeploy her to another job but in a non-caring role.

Following problems with finding a suitable new job for her, it was decided she had not co-operated and she was dismissed in June last year.

Mrs Norkett told the tribunal: "I have got to withdraw the case because of circumstances but it is not the end of the matter."