AN award-winning nurse is getting ready to rub shoulders with royalty on Wednesday.

Nicola Johnstone, from Tyldesley, who works as a clinical lead nurse at Belong Nurse, will meet Prince Charles at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in recognition of her outstanding contribution to her profession.

She has picked up numerous accolades in her career including a highly successful 2016 when she won the End of Life Care Award at the Great North West Care Awards in 2016 as well as the Nurse of the Year and Peer Supported awards at the Wigan and Leigh Hospice Awards.

She was a finalist for the End of Life Care Award at the 3rd Sector Care Awards in 2016 too.

Nicola said: “I was speechless when I received my invitation to meet Prince Charles.

"It was completely unexpected, but now that it has sunk in I am very excited for the big day and I realise what an honour it is.

"I have bought a new Ted Baker dress for the occasion.

“It is fantastic to receive such recognition for work I feel lucky to be able to do.

"Providing care to the residents of Belong Atherton and supporting my colleagues is a reward in itself.

"Having said that, I think I will be talking about this for years to come.

"My family, including my husband, Andy, who’s going with me, and my daughters, Mackenzie and Isabella, are all very proud.

"My mum and dad cannot wait.

"Mum keeps a scrap book of my achievements so this will definitely feature in there.”

In her job, Nicola leads a team of nurses and support workers to deliver end-of life care at the Mealhouse Lane care village.

She also works with hospitals, hospices and other healthcare providers to help them to carry out best practise in palliative care.

Deputy chief executive of Belong Tracy Paine said: “We are all very proud of Nicola and her contributions to raising standards of end-of-life care at Belong and in the local community.

"There are currently nearly 50,000 registered nurses working in adult social care in the UK who too often go unrecognised, so it is excellent news that Nicola is amongst those whose achievements are being celebrated.

“As a registered nurse, I was once invited to Buckingham Palace so I know how excited she must be.

"I look forward to seeing the photos."