Heather treated her ex-nanny "like a daughter"

Giving evidence at an employment tribunal brought by Sara Trumble, the former model said they got on so well she had been asked to be godmother to Ms Trumble's child.

Ms Trumble, 26, is seeking compensation from her former boss on the grounds of sex discrimination and unfair dismissal and claims she suffered changes to her employment terms following her maternity leave.

The former nanny told the hearing in Ashford, Kent, that Ms Mills made the lives of all her staff a misery but she was the only one prepared to speak out.

But giving evidence, Ms Mills said: "I treated Sara like my daughter as she often complained that her mother was cold and distant to her."

Ms Mills said that after her nanny had her baby she was asked to be godmother: "She said it was because I had taken such good care of her and she could think of no one better. I was delighted."

She told the hearing: "She was not a qualified nanny, more of a babysitter/childminder. Sara's duties were very varied as with all my staff. Everyone just mucks in and helps out when needed. At no time when she worked for me did she ever question this."

Ms Mills said she gave Ms Trumble 1,500 after she had some money stolen and also 500 for a deposit on a flat when she wanted to move out of her parents' home.

Ms Mills said she gave Ms Trumble lots of gifts and baby things when she had her daughter, including her breast pump. She said she was very accommodating when she wanted to work only part-time after having the baby.

She said: "This did not suit my needs particularly but I understood, having a daughter of my own and knowing the dilemmas parents face." She said Ms Trumble handed in her notice "out of the blue", leaving her "surprised and disappointed".

The hearing continues.