PUPILS and staff at a primary school named one of the best in the country have dedicated its success to the headteacher who died six weeks ago.

The acting head of St Alban's, Larkhill, Blackburn, said their position in this year's Key Stage 2 league tables was a "fitting tribute" to Peter Keegan's hard work.

The 51-year-old died suddenly at home in October. He had been at the helm for St Alban's since 1998.

The school was listed in the top five per cent based on its value added score, a way of measuring school achievement. The aim is to show how far a child has progressed, rather than simply recording how many children are at the Government-set national benchmark for ability at 11.

Alan Connor, acting head, said: "The pupils and staff here are delighted. It has been a difficult few weeks since Peter's death and I feel this value added placement is a reflection of his hard work."

St Francis, Livesey; Lower Darwen Primary, and St Anne's Primary were also named in the top five per cent, with Blackburn primaries St Francis and St James' in the most improved 200 schools.

The successes were highlights in what is generally a grim picture for the Blackburn with Darwen local education authority. After some of the highest improvement in 2002, its results faltered last year and latest statistics show even further setbacks.

The number of pupils achieving the Government standard in English remained static at 71 per cent, while the maths success fell from 71.6 per cent to 70 per cent. Science attainment also slipped from 82.6 per cent to 80 per cent, with Blackburn with Darwen now ranked 133 out of 150.

For Lancashire, the picture appears brighter - despite only two East Lancashire schools managing 100 per cent in English, maths and science, ranking them 47th.