A NURSE who had a sexual relationship with a vulnerable former mental health patient faces an anxious wait over her career.

Julie Cank, 43, of Burnley, started the relationship with the man, 19 years her junior, after he moved from the Calderstones Hospital in Whalley, to a supervised home.

A Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing heard that she would visit his home, and he hers, where they would drink and have sex activity.

Cank admitted the charge of having an inappropriate relationship with the man, known only as Patient A, and also confessed that her conduct was sexually motivated.

A resumed central London hearing ran out of time on Thursday before the panel could determine whether her actions amounted to misconduct.

The hearing had previously been told that in a meeting with Michael Mahon, then assistant head of secure services at Calderstones, Cank initially denied the relationship, but confessed a short time later.

She admitted all allegations against her and if the panel finds that her actions amount to misconduct, she could be struck off the nursing register.

The hearing will resume on a date yet to be confirmed.