A DARENT Valley Hospital midwife says being part of the Olympic opening ceremony has given her "a million memories that will last forever".

Joanne Seymour, who has worked for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust for 21 years, applied to volunteer in Danny Boyle's NHS tribute section in October.

The 50-year-old said: "I’m generally a quiet sort of person and the idea of potentially appearing in front of literally millions of people terrified me.

"However, I’m proud to be part of the NHS and just as proud to be British and this was, after all, a once in a lifetime never to be repeated opportunity."

Mrs Seymour, of Sandcliff Road, Erith, was accepted in November and was involved in more than 25 rehearsals between April and July.

She said: "I made many friends and will take away a million memories that will last forever."

After looking at pictures and videos of the performance from the night, Mrs Seymour says she was surprised by “how much was going on”.

She said: “We were obviously aware of the multitude of people involved and had marvelled at the costumes and props we saw, but apart from a few glimpses of various rehearsals and the constant noise of music, drums and animals, we had no idea of how it all came together."

She added: "It was over in a flash, I'm still on cloud nine.

"I've got my costume in my office for everyone to see and I'm going to be buried in it."

Mrs Seymour was the only employee from the Trust to take part in the opening ceremony and was just one of three midwives from the south-east.

She said: "Even though the NHS section was cut to nine minutes, it was worth every second.

"All the choreographers, costume team and mass movement organisers were brilliant.

"I am very proud of being part of the NHS, we are unique to the world and that is why Danny Boyle wanted it and Great Ormond Street hospital represented."

She told News Shopper: "It's never going to happen again, it's once in a life time, it was worth it all."