16453/3A TEACHER from Melksham who was recognised as one of the top teachers in the country at a national awards ceremony put her prizes to good use this week.

Emma Summers, deputy head of Year 9 at The George Ward School, was voted Outstanding New Teacher in a Secondary School in the west of England at a ceremony in London last September.

Ms Summers, 27, received a £2,000 cheque for the school, an interactive whiteboard and video camera, all of which she was using with pupils for the first time this week.

She said: "It's a brilliant piece of teaching equipment. It breathes new life into old lessons.

"It's a real buzz to be able to use it. It means they're interacting with you and each other."

Ms Summers has been asked to take part in this year's ceremony as a judge.