THREE pupils from the same school have been short-listed for a Tees Valley friendly award.

The pupils, from Our Lady and St Bede RC School, in Stockton, have reached the final of The Friend Achiever Awards.

The three have been chosen from dozens of applicants across the area for the award which is part of the Celebration of Learning Awards.

The three achievers short-listed are Helen Cheeseman, Nicholas Tweddle and Nathan Jameson.

Pam Eccles, executive director of Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley, said: "It was a huge surprise when we found out that the three short-listed nominees picked by judges for the Friend Achiever Award were all from the same school."

Nominee Helen is 14 and although she has has learning difficulties, still befriends pupils who need support. Nicholas Tweddle, 13, is a peer mentor at the school.

He has already won the school's HSBC award, which is given to pupils for overcoming difficulties and giving 100 per cent effort in all that they do.

Nathan Jameson, 15, was nominated by youth support organisation Connexions personal advisor Rachel Short for his involvement with his friends in a skating project and for supporting a friend in his return to school.

The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, November 28, at the Tall Trees Hotel, in Yarm.