Ref. 12423/1MALMESBURY Primary School has become one of only eight schools in the South West to be awarded the Activemark Gold award from Sport England.

The honour recognises the school's efforts to provide lots of out-of-hour sports as well as a varied and balanced PE curriculum.

Head teacher Jeff Staton said: "We are obviously absolutely delighted. I think it is a recognition of all the hard work everybody in the school has put in to keep the children active for life."

The school, which has clubs ranging from hockey, basketball to touch rugby applied last November to the national award scheme.

PE co-ordinator Carolyn Rogers paid tribute to her assistant Judith Brown. She said the experience had meant a lot of hard work and had been a gruelling test but it had been worthwhile.

She said: "There was a lengthy application form asking how we provide sport at the school and within the community. We also had to provide evidence of what we provide.

"We really had to show the school in its best light and worked hard to do it.

"Winning the award has given us the boost we needed to move forward."

The school was recently awarded £5,000 lottery money to start football training.

In the second half of the summer term a sports week in conjunction with local sports clubs and Malmesbury School is planned.