A GREAT grandmother who spent the Second World War nursing sick and injured soldiers in the Middle East has finally been honoured.

Edith McLain, an 86-year-old former Army Nursing Sister, received her Defence Medal and 1939-45 War Medal at a surprise presentation.

Colonel Robert Forber, Commanding Officer of 201 (Northern) Field Hospital (Volunteers), made the presentation to Mrs McLain at a special parade at the unit's headquarters in Newcastle.

The pensioner, who is from Newcastle, missed out on the medals originally after she was sent home late in 1945 for a month's leave.

She was found to be so underweight as a result of her war service that instead of returning to Suez, she was discharged.

Mrs McLain, who prefers to be known as Bobbie, said: "This is a total surprise because it's about 60 years since this all happened.

"I'm really proud of the award but I'm sure there are many other people who deserve recognition as well."

The presentation came about because Mrs McLain's daughter, Elizabeth Clarke, wrote to the Ministry of Defence's medals office asking why the medals had not been issued.

She also asked the office to rectify the omission.

Mrs Clarke, from Consett, County Durham, and her son Alex, 20, attended the presentation.