THE region's favourite Pop Idol, Zoe Birkett, presented awards to top performing schools in the arts.
The Artsmark awards from the Arts Council of England celebrate schools whose pupils have made a strong commitment in the field.
There are three awards which recognise different levels of commitment to the arts - Artsmark Gold, Artsmark Silver and Artsmark Bronze.
Zoe, who came fourth in the ITV television search for a pop star, was invited to hand over the awards to pupils and teachers from winning North-East schools at a ceremony held in the Live Theatre in Newcastle yesterday.
After presenting the awards, Zoe, 17, accepted a Artsmark award on behalf of her former school, Carmel RC Technology College in Darlington.
Andrew Dixon, regional executive director of Northern Arts, said: "I am very proud that the so many schools in the region have won awards through the Artsmark scheme.
"Artsmark symbolises the importance of the arts in education.
"It rewards excellence, endorses good practice and demonstrates that schools are concerned not only with academic success but with the wider development of young people.
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