A care worker allegedly had a sexual relationship with a boy at a children's home, donning skimpy outfits and letting him sleep in her bed, a court has heard.

Lindy Leah, 44, 'fell in love' with a teenage patient having been assigned as his key worker, it was revealed at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday.

The accused, who was deputy manager of the home in St Helens, also sported inappropriate clothing and asked the boy to give her 'a love bite'.

She told detectives interviewing her after her arrest that she 'denied any improper behaviour'.

Graham Pickavance, prosecuting, said: 'The defendant, by her own admission, admitted that she fell in love with him.