A WORCESTER teenager has scooped a top award for bravery – and got to meet her hero in the process.

McAyla Johnston flew out to Los Angeles where she was surprised by David Beckham who handed her an invitation to the Pride of Britain Awards, which were held last night.

The 14-year-old was given the Teenager of Courage Award in recognition for her campaign to get two pelican crossings installed on London Road, where three years ago she was hit by a car and so badly injured doctors did not know whether she would walk or talk again.

McAyla overcame the odds and now walks and talks – and her family could not be prouder.

Dad David Lamb said yesterday the awards show, held at Grosvenor House, was going to be “emotional”.

He said: “I don’t think it’s all quite sunk in yet – it is a huge achievement for her.

"It was the shock of a lifetime for McAyla meeting David Beckham. She thought that her mum had won a shopping trip to LA.”

In fact, the family, from Foxwell Street, Red Hill, was invited to the city last week so McAyla could get her invitation after a panel selected her for the award.

Mr Lamb said: “She did not register who it was when he appeared. He says, ‘I’m looking for McAyla Johnston’, and she just turns around and says, ‘Yes, that’s me’.

“She was asking him about his new daughter and said that she would babysit for him.”

McAyla – a pupil at Nunnery Wood High School – then spent the week in between choosing the perfect dress for the occasion.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, which runs the awards, McAyla said: “When I saw David I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say.

"I couldn’t believe he knew my name. He hugged me and smelled really nice.

“He gave me a signed shirt and I told him I’ll never wash it. It was the best day of my life.

“When he said I’d won a Pride of Britain Award I was so proud.

"He told me I’ve been very brave but I said I just wanted to make sure what happened to me doesn’t happen to others.”

• The Pride of Britain Awards will be broadcast on ITV1 tomorrow at 8pm.