YOUNGSTERS from a County Durham school will enjoy a day in the Dome for being good pals.

Bowburn Junior School, near Durham City, won the trip to the London attraction for its Playground Friends scheme.

A dozen Year Six pupils, aged ten and 11, watch over younger children at the school, encouraging them to play games or looking after them if bullied, or hurt in playground accidents.

The group will soon be issued with distinctive royal blue fleece jackets so younger pupils know where to turn for company or help.

Judges of the Tesco Our School awards were so impressed they declared Bowburn Juniors winners of the Tyne Tees region Working Together title.

Five of the Playground Friends, whose names were drawn from a hat, will travel to the Dome with headteacher Lynne Lyons early next month.

There they will have a party with other schools from across Britain before the national award winners are announced.

The school has already received a personal computer and Tesco vouchers for scooping the regional prize.

Mrs Lyons said the scheme had helped bring the school community closer together.

She said: "If children are feeling sad or lonely or have been knocked over in the yard then the Playground Friends will look after them.

"They may start a game off so the child can join in or bring the child to a member of staff if they are hurt.

"The younger children love the fact there is someone they can go to if they want to play or if someone has pushed them. I think it has definitely reduced difficulties children face at play times. I have a naughty bench outside my office which is hardly ever used."

She added: "It has also taught the children responsibility.

"The Playground Friends sell juice at 5p a cup on a lunch-time, which was their idea, and they have used the money to buy play-boxes filled with bits and pieces for children to play with."

The scheme is run by the school council, which encourages children to have their say on decisions affecting the school.

Mrs Lyons said: "They feel their views are respected so the children respect the school and take care of it.