More than 2,000 school days and not one sickie

John McDonald, 16, of Hythe Close, Queen's Park, Blackburn, is believed to be the first pupil in the town in more than 100 years to drag himself out of bed every morning throughout his school life.

His mum Marie, 38, and dad David, 40, said it was down to family motto that "if you want a day off school you need a death certificate and a second opinion."

And Marie said she could count on her hands the days off that John's five sisters and brother had off.

Bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council, who gave John a prize in recognition of the achievement, said they had checked records going back to 1895 and could find no other youngster who had a 100 per cent attendance record.

John started school at Shadsworth Infants School in 1993, and in 2001 left Shadsworth Junior School for Blakewater College, known then as Queen's Park High School.

He was even given an award for his 100 per cent record at the time.

He left Blakewater College last summer with eight GCSEs, and has been working hard in the army cadets to realise his dream of joining the army.

John admitted he had been tempted to pull a sickie from time to time but his parents would not allow it.

"Once I got the first award I thought I'm half way there', so I thought I might as well make it the whole way," he said.

Marie cares for husband David full-time as he is registered disabled after having two discs removed from his back. They share their home with children John, James, 15, Kirstyn, 18, Kerri, 12, and Kodie, five. John's half-sister Karen, 21, lives in Scotland.

Marie said: "John had all the illnesses like chicken pox, measles, tonsilitis, but always seemed to be in the holidays.

"But even when he had a cold he went to school.

"We have always instilled in our children that everything you do in life you do it whole heartedly or not at all.

"We are very proud of John, but also all our children, as in their own big way every single one of them are big achievers."