PUPILS and staff from 21 schools stepped forward to receive accolades for health education initiatives.

Healthy school certificates were handed over at a ceremony which was held in Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light banqueting suite.

The accolades were made in recognition of the commitment of schools to promote a healthy way of life for the whole school environment - pupils, staff and visitors.

Sunderland's healthy school awards coordinator, Mark Hopkinson, said yesterday: "This is a prestigious award, made in acknowledgement of the considerable amount of work carried out by the school community in raising the profile of health.

"Not only does the award raise health consciousness, but, more importantly, it helps to ensure that examples of good health policy are put into practice."

All 21 winners of the awards had to meet the scheme's ten charter points to qualify for an award.

The healthy school awards scheme is a collaborative project.

It has been arranged between Priority Healthcare Wearside NHS Trust and Sunderland's health and education authorities.