A Christian nurse who was fired for offering to pray with patients before surgery was simply showing "compassion", a tribunal heard.

Sarah Kuteh lost her job last year after patients complained that she talked more about religion than their procedures and told them that if they prayed to God they were more likely to survive.

Mrs Kuteh was dismissed for gross misconduct from Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent. Eight patients who were "extremely vulnerable" and facing surgery had submitted complaints about her behaviour.

Now her case has been brought to an employment tribunal after she claimed she was unfairly dismissed.

One cancer patient facing bowel surgery complained after mother-of-three Mrs Kuteh told him if he prayed to God he would have a better chance of survival.