SPORTS-MAD youngsters at Blackburn's Pleckgate High School are celebrating after the school scooped a prestigious national award.

The school, in Pleckgate Road, was the only one in the borough to receive the Sportsmark Award this year.

The award is part of a Government initiative to get more children into sport. It is given to secondary schools which promote sports and develop students' sporting skills.

Headteacher Heather Jamison said: "The school is absolutely delighted and really proud of winning this prestigious award.

"Helen Pallett, our head of physical education, has worked tremendously hard with her strong team of staff to meet the very high requirements for this award.

"The children involved in extra activities have also put in considerable effort and shown great enthusiasm."

As part of the Sportsmark Award the school's physical education department has provided an out of school sports programme which has included judo, boxing, rugby, girls' football and many more activities.

The school is also part of the national school sports co-ordinator programme to bring the benefits of physical activity to its pupils.

Each school holds the award for three years.

Coun Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education and lifelong learning, congratulated Pleckgate High School on its achievement. He said: "Taking part in sport is not only good fun, but it's a great way for children to develop new skills and confidence, learn about team work and get into the habit of keeping fit at an early age."

Last year, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, was named one of the top sports establishments in the country and was awarded Sportsmark Gold status. The record year for awards to schools was in 1995 when five schools were earmarked for praise.