A NURSE was treated like royalty for a day when she was invited to join Prince Charles and palace staff at a Christmas party.

Sister Barbara Hodgson travelled to St James' Palace, in London, on Tuesday, after she was invited to a reception in the state rooms in recognition of her work with cancer patients.

To her surprise, she found the party was a private reception for the Prince of Wales and his staff.

The stoma nurse spoke at length with the Prince about the work she does with people who have had colostomies.

One of the oldest members of her care group, Vera Bradford, 88, was also invited to the reception.

Barbara, who works at Bishop Auckland General and Darlington Memorial hospitals, said: "It was absolutely superb. I thought it would be on the scale of a garden party, with hundreds of people invited, but it was their own annual Christmas party. I couldn't believe it.

"Camilla Parker-Bowles was there and Charles came up to us and asked about the group. We were almost guests in his own home."

When Barbara set up the stoma support group in 1983 there was little help available for cancer patients after leaving hospital.

She has worked hard to develop more support, organising fortnightly meetings at the Escomb Road Health Centre, in Bishop Auckland, and regular social events.

In May this year, Teesdale Rotary Club presented Barbara with an award for her work in the community.