Yvonne Doyle, of County Durham, was registered with an agency with links to prostitution, while also working with children, a Newcastle tribunal heard.

It found her guilty of misconduct and of breaching the General Social Care Council's (GSCC) code of practice.

Mrs Doyle, of Waldron Street, Bishop Auckland, denies the allegation and a statement said she would appeal.

The hearing heard how Mrs Doyle was working in the Darlington area as a team manager for a fostering agency when the allegations came to light.

'Totally surprised'

She did not attend the original hearing in April because the media would be present.

The conduct committee, which regulates social care professionals, then barred reporters before ruling that the hearing should be held behind closed doors.

The panel's decision was then read out in public. It ruled that Mrs Doyle should be struck off the social worker register for two years.

A statement released by Mrs Doyle's husband Kenneth said: "Firstly, I would like to state on behalf of my wife that she has never been, nor has she ever advertised herself as, an escort on any website at any time.

'Question suitability'

"As for the outcome of the GSCC conduct hearing, my wife and I are totally surprised and disappointed by the decision and find it very difficult to understand how they came to their decision on the evidence available to them.

"We will be appealing to the independent Care Standards Tribunal within the next 28 days."

Mrs Doyle is the first person to appear before the profession's new (GSCC) watchdog responsible for regulating social workers.