Nurse cared for her alcoholic mum for nine years and never revealed she was the daughter she gave away

A Birmingham nurse who traced her alcoholic mother who gave her up for adoption, nursed her for nine years until the day she died, without ever revealing that she was in fact her daughter.

59-year-old Phyllis Whitsell from Selly Oak, was adopted at the age of four and told throughout her childhood that her mum Bridget Ryan had died of tuberculosis, a lie designed to protect her from the truth.

Phyllis grew up in Birmingham training as a nurse and admitted that in the past, information had often been deliberately withheld from adopted children, but once she had left home, was able to start the seacrh.

Phyllis admits she was shocked and moved at what she saw.

Her mother Bridget was a chronic alcoholic who was in a bad physical state, mentally unstable, abusive and well-known as a troublemaker 'Tipperary Mary'.

But there began a remarkable story.

Phyllis cared for her mother in this way from 1981 to 1990 without once telling Bridget that she was the little girl she had given away all those years ago.

It was only when Bridget died at the age of 74 that the ties that bound them were finally severed.

Phyllis still cares for others, and works at a nursing home in Selly Park.

'Finding Tipperary Mary', Phyllis' life story, will be published in November.