SCHOOLCHILDREN have been praised for the quality of their handwriting after winning a national competition.

Girls and boys aged between four and 11 from Yarm Preparatory School have been named winners of the National Schools Handwriting Competition.

Sponsored by the Society of Assistants Teaching in Preparatory Schools (Satips), the children had to write out a piece of text and show neat, smooth writing.

As well as winning the national title, three children won individual awards. Headteacher Mrs Gillian Taylor was invited to the Commonwealth Club in London to receive the winners' cheque for £1,000.