New Malden girl, Dawn Havard, got the treat of her life when chart-topping boy band Blue came to visit her in hospital.

Following a spinal operation for scoliosis which proved unsuccessful, Dawn, 15, had to spend another fortnight in hospital and have another metal rod put in her spine.

Having the second major spinal operation meant she was unable to get out of bed to go to the bands album signing, an event she had been looking forward to for months.

Dawn was so disappointed not to see her favourite band that a paediatric nurse at Guys Hospital, Sam Whetstone, contacted the groups manager, Daniel Glatman, to see if a visit would be at all possible.

He said it could and the ward was packed to herald the bands arrival, as they got straight off a plane from Australia and went to see Dawn at the hospital.

Dawns mother, Alison, said: The ward was packed and the boys were brilliant, signing and chatting to everyone. They even sang Too Close, their last number one hit for Dawn.

But the visit was not just a quick in, say hello and leave affair. The band spent a lot of time in the ward talking to patients, parents and staff.

The amazing day took place on Tuesday, November 27, and Dawn is now at home recovering from the operation before returning to Coombe Girls School, in Clarence Avenue, New Malden, where Mrs Havard said: Dawn has received great support from her teacher and classmates and would like to thank them and especially Blue for helping in her recovery.

By.David Rankin