PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has congratulated staff at Nelson's Holy Saviour Roman Catholic Primary School and headmaster David Armstrong for being awarded the Basic Skills Quality Mark.

The Labour back bencher said: "To be awarded the Primary Quality Mark, which is held for three years, a school has to meet minimum standards in the teaching of literacy and numeracy and has to demonstrate that it meets 10 elements, including a target for improvement of the school's performance and involving parents in developing their children's basic skills.

"Clearly the school has demonstrates these standards and I congratulate everyone concerned on all the excellent work they have put in."