PUPILS are celebrating after their school was awarded the Sportsmark for its commitment to fitness and health and its range of sports opportunities.

Barton CE Primary School, near Richmond, received the award from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Headteacher Colin Hicks said: "We are part of the local sports partnership scheme and through our fantastic sports co-ordinator, Anne Thorogood, we are able to boast a wide range of sports such as football, tag rugby, swimming, orienteering, a lunchtime running club, netball, gymnastics, cricket, rounders; the list goes on."

The school swimming team recently won the small schools prize at a local swimming gala, and pupils have completed tag rugby training with the Leeds Carnegie rugby professionals.

Among past pupils of the school is England director of rugby, Rob Andrew, who began playing rugby there.