MATHS and English pupils were rewarded for their hard work at an after-school centre.

Pupils aged five-15 from the 1st Class After-School Maths Centre were awarded certificates in the ceremony, which was attended the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun Jack Bury.

Mathematics Pupil of the Year was Christopher Dawson, 11, from Hoghton and English Studies Pupil of the Year was Alex Warburton, nine, from Accrington.

The centre, which holds classes in Wesley Hall, Blackburn has enjoyed great success since it was formed last year.

The classes are unique in that there is an emphasis on independent learning rather than being taught from a blackboard.

The children were rewarded for attendance, effort, enthusiasm and progress, and founder of the private classes Pauline Vaughan said: "It is always wonderful to see children achieving their potential, and it is important they are rewarded for their hard work. " She added: "We're not just about passing exams, we have children with special needs who are grasping the basics, and they are achieving too."

The centre also operates classes in Burnley and Rochdale.