A NURSE who cares for premature and newly-born babies joined more than 1,000 other unsung heroes at a reception hosted by London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Jo Goddard-Edden, of Bromley's Homesdale Road, was nominated to attend the glitzy reception at the Tate Modern by grateful parents of twins she cared for at Lewisham Hospital's Neo-Natal Unit.

The Greater London Assembly (GLA) asked for nominations for people who had made a significant contribution to London.

More than 1,000 nominees attended the event which marked the anniversary of the mayor and Assembly taking office.

But the 27-year-old was one of the nine selected to have a professional photograph taken by royal photographer Terry O'Neill, which was signed and presented by the London mayor.

She said: "It's really nice to be rewarded this way because it brings home what we do is so worthwhile."

Her mum, Pat Goddard, 62, who accompanied her daughter with Jo's father and husband, said: "Her training was a real struggle, so you can imagine how proud we all were of her."

July 8, 2002 19:00