A CHELMSFORD nurse who conned people into believing he was a surgeon has been struck off.

Kevin O'Flanagan, 54, who worked in operating theatres at Broomfield Hospital, told people he was a highly regarded orthopaedic specialist.

O'Flanagan was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council after a seven-day fitness to practise hearing.

The Chelmsford and Mid Essex Times understands that the fantasist – who worked in operating theatres – kept a human hip joint as a coffee table ornament and wore surgical scrubs around his home, sometimes as pyjamas.

A spokesman for the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: “Mr O'Flanagan was scheduled to appear before the NMC between 26th June and 4th July.

Until the Trust is made aware of the outcome, we are unable to comment.”