STAFF and pupils at Elton High School have proved themselves to be an arty lot!

The Walshaw-based school has become one of a handful of schools across the country to be awarded the Artsmark Award.

The accolade by the Arts Council England recognises the opportunities provided by the school for pupils to become involved in all art forms, from drama to music, design to literature, dance to sculpture.

Mr Neil Scruton, head of the school, said: "I am delighted that the Arts Council has recognised our progressive, well balanced arts education programme, which enables pupils to work with practising artists and performers. The school provides outstanding opportunities for our pupils to develop their creative abilities in all artforms."

Mr Scruton added: "We are pursuing specialist school status as an arts college to become Bury's first specialist school in the visual arts. Our curriculum provision meets all the creative needs of our pupils."

The award is one of 775 given to schools across the country. Elton High School will be presented with its accolade at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, on July 8.

Peter Hewitt, chief executive of the Arts Council, said: "Our belief is that the arts have the power to transform lives and that dynamic arts experiences offered by schools have a lasting impact on young people. Artsmark celebrates the importance of arts in education, encourage schools to review and develop arts provision and recognises teachers for their commitment to the arts."