PAULINE SCOTT is a nurse in a million -- by royal approval.

As part of the Queen Mother's 100th birthday celebrations, she has been honoured by the Queen's Nursing Institute.

The special award recognises her "humanity and devoted nursing care which has brought comfort and relief to patients of all ages and conditions, making a difference to their individual lives and thereby contributing to the wider health of the nation."

The honour meant everything to Pauline, of Grenaby Avenue, Hindley Green.

"It was the proudest day of my life," she said. "I just sat and cried."

And she added: "It means more to me than any OBE. That is for movie stars and footballers. This award is for something very special."

Pauline has known both faces of the nursing profession.

She was for seven years a ward sister at Hope Hospital, she spent 15 years as a district nurse in Salford.

But a brain tumour led to her retirement 11 years ago.

Since then she has undergone THIRTY operations. Her 31st is imminent.

But, showing astonishing determination, Pauline has continued her volunteer work.

She runs a group, helping people who have similarly suffered: the North West branch of the British Acoustic Neuroma Association.

She is also a community nurse at St Peter's School in Hindley and organises a self-help group in Bolton.

Her nomination for the Queen Mother's QNI100 left her surprised and delighted.