A Suffolk nurse who says she suffered serious spinal injuries after a motorist drove into the back of her car at a roundabout has launched a £150,000 compensation claim.

Sara Jane McNiff, 42, was hit from behind while she waited stationary in her car at the Cullum Road roundabout, in Bury St Edmunds, in August 2012, a High Court writ states.

Mrs McNiff, of Rectory Road, Topcroft, Bungay, worked at the time of the accident as a high dependency unit nurse at the Spire Hospital, Norwich.

She was also a keen sportswoman before the shunt, but the writ says she has developed crushing disc problems since.

Her legal team estimate that her claim is worth £150,000.

Mrs McNiff's lawyer, Caroline Bourke, details in the writ how the accident happened at 5pm on August 14, 2012, while the nurse was at the wheel of a hire car.

The writ states that Mrs McNiff has suffered 'pain and weakness' in her back since then.

Her symptoms have become so severe that she can no longer do her old job and has been shifted to lighter part-time duties.

She had to undergo spinal fusion surgery to ease her pain, the writ adds.

Her injuries have also badly affected her sleep and social life, and prevent her from enjoying horse riding and badminton.

The writ states that Mrs McNiff was previously a top badminton player, competing at county level and in the Suffolk League.

The other motorist's defence to the claim was not available from the court and the contents of the writ have yet to be tested in evidence before a judge.