A "wonderful teacher with a cheery smile" has been nominated for Croydon Champion's teacher of the year award.

Komala Naidoo is a year two teacher at Gresham Primary School in Sanderstead, and has taught at the school for nine years.

The South African first started work at the school as a teaching assistant, before becoming a class teacher after qualifying.

The mother-of-three was nominated for the award by parent Tracey Whitfield, who praised the 47-year-old for turning her son into a book worm.

She said: "Many of the children like doing extra work at home to bring in to show her.

"I believe because she takes the time to get to know the children when they start in her class, she brings out the best in them and they want to do more."

As well as being a class teacher, Mrs Naidoo is also the school's RE and PSHE co-ordinator.

She said teaching classes about multiculturalism and different religions allowed her to be more creative in her work.

She said: "I love teaching creatively, the children learn so much from it."

Mrs Naidoo said it was a shock to be nominated for the award and added: "At first I didn't know whether to believe it or not, but it's an honour to be nominated, even if I don't win.

"It's the first time something like has happened to me, I am just doing what everybody does."

Every week we feature some of Croydon's heroes on this page and we want your nominations.

All nominees will be shortlisted and invited to an awards ceremony in November.

Click here to nominate your Croydon Champion