BLACKPOOL'S Mereside Primary School has received a gold star from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) for its progress over the past 20 months.

The Langdale Road school impressed Ofsted inspectors so much they decided the school no longer needed special measures which they imposed in January 2000 to raise educational standards.

The report said pupils' attitudes to learning had "dramatically improved" and it described the school as a "welcoming, bright and cheerful place".

Acting head teacher Steve Burton (above with some of the children) said: "I am pleased that the tremendous efforts of the children, parents, staff, governors and the local education authority have been acknowledged by the inspectors. This year's exceptional improvements in English, maths and science results have also been matched in sport and the arts."

He looked forward to boosting the school's success with developments planned for information technology and early years education.

Coun Eddie Collett, executive member for education, said: "This is a tremendous achievement in a relatively short space of time and is a tribute to everyone involved in the life of the school.

"What this report demonstrates is that educating youngsters is about more than putting them in a classroom with a teacher. Every member of a school's staff has a vital contribution to make, parents play a crucial role and the attitude of pupils is paramount. Add to that support from the school governors, the local education authority and the surrounding community and you have all the right ingredients for the sort of success Mereside is deservedly enjoying."