TWELVE teachers from the North-East and North Yorkshire have been shortlisted for the national Teaching Awards 2004.

Each won a category in the regional rounds of the awards and will compete for a national prize at a ceremony in London on October 24.

The teachers and the categories they will compete in are:

* Natalie Peacey, West View Primary School, Hartlepool, BT Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary School;

* Mike O'Neill, Sunderland High School, Guardian Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School;

* Leanne Dale, Manor College of Technology, Hartlepool, Innovation Unit Award for Innovation in Education;

* Kevin McDermid, Usworth School, Washington, Wearside, Promethean Award for Headteacher of the Year;

* Christopher Harte, St Robert of Newminster RC School, Washington, Teacher Training Agency Award for Outstanding New Teacher;

* Andrea Crawshaw, Woodham Community Technology College, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, RAF Award for Leadership Within a School;

* Melanie Lyons, Ferryhill Comprehensive School, County Durham, Award for School and Community Involvement;

* Denise Walton, Ryton Community Junior School, near Gateshead, Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year;

* John Graham, Hurworth Primary School, near Darlington, Award for Lifetime Achievement in a Primary School;

* Patricia Johnston, John Spence Community High School Sports College, North Shields, North Tyneside, Award for Lifetime Achievement in a Secondary School;

* Helene Podmore, Lidgett Grove School, Acomb, York, and Stephen Powell, Raincliffe School, Newby, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, both competing for Award for Excellence in Special Needs Teaching.

The awards will be hosted by television presenter Eamonn Holmes and will be broadcast on BBC2 on Sunday, October 24, at 7pm.