Golden girl Nicola picks up her MBE at the Palace

SO proud . . . Nicola with mum Gill, boyfriend Edward Harding and her MBE

OLDHAM'S golden girl Nicola White notched up another accolade when she visited Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE.

Hockey player Nicola, who won gold for Team GB in last year's Rio Olympic games, was presented with her accolade along with fellow members of the medal-winning team.

The 29-year-old, originally from Shaw, made Olympic history as GB won all eight of their matches on the way to the finals in Rio last year.

Nicola is Oldham's first Olympic gold medallist since swimmer Henry Taylor in 1908.

She also won a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The former Oldham Hulme Grammar School student became the youngest woman to receive Oldham's honorary Freedom of the Borough in 2016.

She also received a special recognition award at the Chronicle's Pride in Oldham Awards last year.

Nicola said: "It was really exciting.

"I was pretty nervous but generally the day went pretty well.

"My mum and my boyfriend were here to watch the ceremony as well.

Speaking about her incredible journey, Nicola said: "I didn't expect it to happen in a million years. I don't think you could have written something like this - winning the gold medal and then being recognised nationally with an MBE and the sport growing as well.

"To actually make that happen is amazing.

"The thing I try to put forward to the schools when I visit them is that it can happen. I'm a normal girl from Oldham and it can happen."

Nicola admitted that she did have a few nerves in the run up to being presented with her MBE by Prince William.

She said: "It was Prince William who presented us with the MBE but I was quite happy about that.

"We have met the royals a few times before at events but when it was an occasion like it was today it is quite nerve-racking.

"As soon as he spoke you feel a bit normal again.

"I did have to have a minute to say: 'Nicola just calm down'.

"It is amazing. I love the royal family and to be here at Buckingham Palace with my team-mates just made the day.

"We all just couldn't stop smiling."