THE Newcastle Vipers Ice Hockey Team have helped Catchgate Primary School to celebrate a healthy award.

The school was presented with the County Durham and Darlington Healthy School Award by Verna Fee from Derwentside Primary Care Trust and members of the Vipers Ice Hockey Team.

The school got their award for reaching national standards in education for healthy living.

The Healthy School Standard includes education about drugs, emotional health and wellbeing, healthy eating, physical activity, citizenship, bullying and sex and relationships.

Staff and pupils from Catchgate Primary School looked at all areas of the school to see how life could be improved.

Changes included improving access to drinking water and setting up a fruit bar.

They also offered a wide range of physical activity opportunities with good links with local sports organisations such as Sunderland FC, Consett Rugby Club and Consett Athletics Club.

Verna Fee, Community and Partnership Officer for Derwentside Primary Care Trust, said: "This is a fantastic achievement as the school only opened to pupils on the 5 November 2001."