A PUPIL or teacher somewhere on Teesside could be in line for an award.

Schools in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton have been included in a national search for champions who have helped raise education standards.

The Department for Education and Skills is looking for nominations for the first Excellence in Cities Champion Awards.

People can nominate a pupil who has beaten the odds to get good results or a teacher or member of support staff, learning mentor or volunteer, who has worked to help pupils do better.

Similar nominations are being sought from Tyneside and Sunderland. Ten champions from around the country will be invited to an awards ceremony in London in October hosted by School Standards Minister David Miliband.