THREE headteachers from County Durham were honoured at an event celebrating the country's top schools.

Elizabeth Ivil from Oakley Cross Primary School in West Auckland, her husband Barrie Ivil from Ludworth Primary School in Durham, and Nick Birbeck from Aclet Close Nursery in Bishop Auckland all received outstanding Ofsted reports last year.

The trio were individually praised during a celebratory event in Manchester hosted by inspecting body Ofsted in recognition of the hard work by staff at the helm of outstanding schools.

It was the first time both Mr and Mrs Ivil had achieved Outstanding reports for their respective schools.

The couple, who live in Wolsingham, say they share information during the day, but agree not to discuss work at home.

Mrs Ivil said: "We have both been fortunate to have outstanding teams to work with, and the support of the villages where the schools are based."

It was also the first time Aclet Close Nursery had been judged Outstanding.

Mr Birbeck said: "It has been a long steady haul and I would not have been able to do it without having really good staff.

"The trick now is to stay there and continue to improve."