A HOSPITAL lab assistant has received Prime Ministerial praise for her 45 years of loyal service.

Alma Harding began her career training at Sydenham Children's Hospital in April 1960 and is still going strong nearly half a century later.

Now Tony Blair has written to the 62-year-old, paying tribute to her "dedication and commitment".

Mrs Harding is now based at Lewisham Hospital, where she has worked since Sydenham's services transferred there in 1985.

The keen athlete, who runs regularly to raise money for children with Cystic Fibrosis, says she was "taken aback" to receive the letter.

She added: "I was very pleased he paid tribute in his letter to the support workers like the scientific staff, who are so crucial in hospitals."