Mother feels sick '24 hours a day'

A mother who feared her child was abused by nursery worker Vanessa George said today the lives of victims' families had been ruined.

The woman, who cannot be named, said she knew George, 39, who worked at Little Ted's Day Unit, to be a "friendly" and "bubbly" woman.

But now she feels "sick" to think of how George carried out depraved acts on very young children.

The mother, from George's hometown of Plymouth, told the BBC there was currently no evidence to suggest her child was abused, but she may never know.

Describing George, she told the BBC: "If you can think of your average big bubbly woman, that was what she was like. Friendly, lovely, absolutely lovely. The kids love her."

She said other suspected victims' families felt sick "24 hours a day".

She went on: "It's the worst feeling you can ever imagine. Feeling sick 24 hours a day. Not being able to sleep. Drinking during the day - everyone is the same."

Even the sight of someone who looked like George repulsed her, she said: "If I see anyone in town that remotely resembles her, I feel sick. And I have to walk in the opposite direction.

"I just can't cope with the image of her face, because every image is of her smiling."