IT'S TOP marks for a Lytham headmaster as he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award this week.

Ronald Naylor, headmaster of the boys' senior school at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Clifton Drive, was awarded the accolade in the regional final of the Lloyds TSB Teaching Awards 2000, which honour the most talented teachers in the North West.

In a special ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall on Tuesday (June 20) the awards, commonly referred to as 'Platos' and now in their second year, were handed out in a ceremony hosted by North West Tonight presenter Gordon Burns.

Speaking after the awards, Mr Naylor, pictured here outside the school, said: "I was delighted to be nominated but didn't expect to win and I was quite taken aback.

"I was a little bowled over by all the publicity but I am over the moon to have won!"

Mr Naylor's win has netted the school a £3,500 cash boost.

Julian Wilde, principal of King Edward and Queen Mary, said that his success was well deserved. He said: "Everyone in our school thinks very highly of Ron as a teacher and as a person -- it is good to know our own estimation of him is shared."