A NURSE who reached the top of her profession after being inspired by her mum has been awarded a right royal honour.

Bolton's NHS Foundation Trust director of nursing,Trish Armstrong-Child has been presented with her MBE at Buckingham Palace.

She said going to the palace was a ‘proud’ moment and that she had collected the accolade on behalf of the staff at the Trust and the wider nursing profession.

Ms Armstrong-Child was named in the New Year’s Honours list for her services to nursing. The top award follows nearly three decades of dedication to the profession.

She is also credited with quadrupling the places open to Bolton nursing students at the University of Bolton, and last year she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the institution.

First qualifying as a registered general nurse in 1992, Ms Armstrong-Child went into the nursing profession after being inspired by her mother, who worked as a health care assistant in a nursing home.

She trained at Whiston Hospital in Merseyside and went on to work in a number of hospitals across the North West.

She has worked as a staff nurse, a sister, a matron, going on to obtain senior positions in nursing and operational management, including holding the position of Deputy Director of Operations at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, before joining the Board of Directors at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in 2013.

The honorary degree was for Ms Armstrong-Child's ‘Outstanding Contribution to Health Care’. Ms Armstrong-Child worked with the university to establish a pre-registration nursing degree which attracted the extra students.

Ms Armstrong-Child, who is also the Trust’s deputy chief executive, said: “I’m delighted to receive an MBE. It is something I never imagined but feel humbled to have been nominated for.

"When I came into nursing I didn’t have a clear career pathway but I have been very lucky to be provided with many opportunities to work in a variety of roles and I have worked with some truly fantastic and talented people.”

The Board of Directors at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust now has two executive members recognised by the British honours system.

Chief Executive of the Trust Dr Jackie Bene has received an OBE for her services to healthcare.

Dr Bene said: “I am delighted for Trish. It is truly well deserved and we are incredibly proud of her.”