PUPILS at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar came top of the class in an inter-schools maths challenge.

The high school won the first Burnley and Rossendale District Final of the 2003 Lancashire County Developments Ltd Maths Challenge.

It was hosted by St Theodore's RC High School, in Burnley, and was sponsored for the third year by Lancashire County Council.

Winning schools of the round one questions were asked to select a team of four Year 7 pupils to take their place in the district finals.

The Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School Team included Calum Barrow, Claire Dunne, Natasha Jackson and Alex Willis.

At each district final the teams were faced with a range of mathematical questions during the event and parents and friends in the audience were also encouraged to join in.

The winning team was presented with a framed mathematical picture which the school gets to put on display.

Contestants received the latest copy of the Guinness Book of Records and an individual plaque commemorating their achievement.

They now go forward to the final which will be held in June.

County Councillor Niki Penney, LCDL board member and chairman of Lancashire County Council who presented the prizes, said: "I am delighted that Lancashire County Developments is sponsoring this fascinating competition.

"We are keen to celebrate achievement in Lancashire as well as encouraging business and creating jobs.

"Getting a good start is all important and the maths challenge is a great way of encouraging young people in their studies.

"I was amazed at the knowledge displayed by the contestants and I am sure they enjoyed the evening.

"The Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School team did very well to win such a close and hard fought district final."