A woman who was told she could never be a nurse because of her facial disfigurement has been nominated as a Croydon community champion.

Marcia Hoyte of Crowther Road, South Norwood, was left badly scarred after falling into a bowl of boiling hot water at the tender age of nine months.

The 47-year-old was told by a careers advisor she would never become a nurse, because her scarring would frighten the patients.

But the mother-of-one has proved them wrong, working as a nurse for the last 28 years at St Helier, Redhill and Beckenham hospital.

Mrs Hoyte said: "It was extremely upsetting. They told me not to set my heights too high, but my mum encouraged me to persevere."

Scarring on her face, neck and hands meant she had to go undergo a number of skin grafts, which involved taking skin from her back to be applied to her face.

After being bullied at school for her extensive scarring, Mrs Hoyte said: "It does tend to knock your confidence, it’s the first impression people go by."

Mrs Hoyte was nominated for the award by her mother Hyacinth Morris, who said: "She spent most of her childhood in and out of hospital.

"She has faced all difficulties with great courage and perseverance. I said to her 'Don't give up, you never know you might be lucky',"

Mrs Morris describes her daughter as a very strong person.

She added: "She doesn't hide it or cover it up. I don't know how she does it."

Every week we feature some of Croydon's heroes and we want your nominations. All nominees will be shortlisted and invited to an awards ceremony in November.