A Christian nurse is in court this week in a bid to overturn a ban set by her NHS employers on wearing a cross necklace while on duty.

Shirley Chaplin was told by the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust that she must hide or remove the cross necklace while at work, or else face the sack. It is the first time she has ever been challenged over her necklace, which she has worn since her confirmation nearly 40 years ago.

Chaplin, 54, will argue in an employment tribunal this week that she should be entitled to the same exemptions made by the trust for hospital staff with other faiths, including Muslims who are allowed to wear headscarves while on duty.

Her case has been backed by seven bishops, including former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, Bishop of Winchester the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, and the former Bishop of Rochester the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali.

The bishops said in a letter to The Sunday Telegraph: “This is yet another case in which the religious rights of the Christian community are being treated with disrespect.

“We are deeply concerned at the apparent discrimination shown against Christians and we call on the Government to remedy this serious development.”

They said the recent high profile dismissals of practising Christians from employment were “unacceptable in a civilised country” and that the major parties needed to address this issue in the forthcoming general election.

They added: “For many Christians, wearing a cross is an important expression of their Christian faith and they would feel bereft if, for some unjustifiable reason, they were not allowed to wear it. To be asked by an employer to remove or ‘hide’ the cross, is asking the Christian to hide their faith.

“Any policy that regards the cross as ‘just an item of jewellery’ is deeply disturbing and it is distressing that this view can ever be taken.”

Chaplin's case has been taken up by the Christian Legal Centre. Its director, Andrea Williams said: “It would seem the Exeter Hospital would rather use its money to deny Christians their rights than using its scarce resources to treat patients. The money the trust is spending on lawyers in this case could employ Shirley Chaplin in front line nursing for many a year or two.

“It is ridiculous that in our country with such a great Christian heritage the court require evidence to prove that the cross is a Christian symbol whilst not applying the same standards to other faiths

“It is time for common sense to prevail and to allow Shirley Chaplin to return to front line nursing duty, the job she loves and has carried out diligently and successfully for over 30 years."