SPORTS-MAD youngsters at a Bury school have become the first in the borough to earn a prestigious award.

Pupils and staff at St Joseph's and St Bede's RC Primary School won the "Activemark" accolade for their eagerness to get busy on the pitch.

The Danesmoor Drive school is among just 100 schools in the country to receive the honour, which recognises an overwhelming commitment to promoting the benefits of physical activity.

The award follows a significant sports programme instigated by Richard Hestor, a former PE teacher at the school who has now left to teach abroad. This gave 347 pupils the chance to try everything from badminton to tennis, rugby league and football and a host of other physical activities.

Miss Sue McAvady, head teacher, said Mr Hestor's legacy was not so much the award but the enthusiasm he generated in the pupils for sport.

"The great thing was that it gave all the children, from the least able to the most able, a chance to be involved and, in many cases, to try something totally new," she said.

"We were able to bring in specialist coaches, including John Abrahams from Lancashire County Cricket Club, and even the Brazilian School of Soccer Training. That obviously generated further interest among our children and contributed very much to the success of the scheme."

Councillor Warren Flood, Bury's sports and recreation spokesman, said the school had to offer a broad and balanced PE programme and an environment which encouraged physical activity.

"Most important was teaching the children the significance of staying active for life," he said. "Our congratulations go to the school for becoming the first in the borough to achieve Activemark and we hope that many more will follow their example."