AN award-winning Hampshire nurse today launched a race case against Southampton hospital management.

Rosie Purves is claiming racial discrimination against Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Southampton General Hospital.

The hearing was due to start at an employment hearing at Dukes Keep in Southampton this morning.

Mrs Purves, from Shirley, Southampton, has worked at the general hospital for more than 30 years.

The case comes after the 58-year-old was the victim of alleged racism by the relatives of a child she was caring for while working in the hospital's paediatric unit.

The tribunal, which is expected to last two days, will hear allegations that the trust failed to take appropriate action following the incident.

Mother of two and grandmother of three Mrs Purves is being backed in her case by the Transport and General Workers' Union. If she wins Mrs Purves could be awarded compensation of up to £15,000.

A Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman was unable to comment on the forthcoming employment tribunal case.

As well as her part-time nursing job, Mrs Purves also works as a carer to a young girl who suffers from motor sensory neuropathy and is permanently on a portable ventilator.

The girl's mother told the Daily Echo: "There isn't a nurse I would be able to trust to care for our daughter as well as Rosie.

"She is invaluable to us and I wouldn't like to think what our lives would be like if we didn't have her."

Two years ago Mrs Purves work with sick children landed her a prestigious award. At a star-studded ceremony she picked up the Ocean FM local hero award at the event, backed by the Daily Echo, at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton.

She received the accolade from TV and National Lottery presenter Gigi Morley, after being nominated by the families of some of the sick children she had cared for.