A BLACKBURN doctor who was banned from practising for a year because of her poor English skills and performance was making a bid to return to work at a hearing in Manchester today.

Dr Suma Mondal, 64, was reported to the General Medical Council four years ago amid concerns about her work by officials at the former Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Healthcare Trust.

The doctor worked as a staff grade doctor in the community child health section for the trust.

Later it emerged she had failed a child health diploma exam six times and had previously recorded an unsatisfactory score when sitting an English test designed for would-be doctors.