A care home manager from Lincolnshire has denied wilfully neglecting any of her residents.

St Michael's Care Home in Waddington, near Lincoln, was raided by a team of social workers and detectives in 2007, allegedly after disgruntled staff tipped off the authorities.

It is claimed some elderly residents were left for hours in their own urine because not enough staff were employed to change them, while others suffered bed sores.

Mother-of-two Elaine Noble, who was manager of the home, denies neglecting three residents - Roy Kendal, 85, Hilda Shepherd, 82, and Irene Walker, 96.

Giving evidence, 57-year-old Mrs Noble who has worked at the home since 1993, told Lincoln Crown Court "her door was always open" to any staff or residents who wanted to talk to her.

Mrs Noble told the jury she was appointed manager of St Michael's by owner Paul Lynch after working her way up from book-keeper to deputy manager.

"When staff were regularly bringing to my attention there were wet beds in the morning I spoke to the owner Mr Lynch about having a senior carer for nights," she said.

"I went ahead and interviewed a lady for the post. She said she wouldn't work for the minimum wage - I think she wanted £7 an hour - and I said I would speak to Mr Lynch."

Mrs Noble said she asked Mr Lynch about employing the woman when he came into her office but he refused her request.

She added that she regularly worked more than her contacted hours, claiming: "My hours were 50 a week, but I probably did 60."

Defence barrister Robert Underwood asked the jury to consider any failings by the home's inspectors or social services.

He said: "Do you think that this lady deliberately turned a blind eye to the care of those who were her responsibility? Or will you form the view that what she did was her best in very difficult circumstances?

"I want to emphasise it is unfair to single out Elaine Noble as being the one who should carry the can."

Noble, of Lagonda Close, Bracebridge Heath, denies three charges of neglecting a person who lacks mental capacity between April and August 2007.

The trial continues.