A BREAKFAST club that gets children up bright and early in the morning has helped a school win a coveted award.

Darlington FC manager David Hodgson presented Skerne Park Primary School with the town's Healthy Schools accolade - the second time it has secured the award in the past two years.

Seventy-two children attend the school breakfast club each day, from 8.30am to 9.15am, at which youngsters are given a meal of fruit juice, milk, cereal and toast.

Darlington Primary Care Trust school nurse Jackie Watson said: "Many of the children were arriving at school without having breakfast.

"The club has been fantastic, as the food not only helps their concentration, it has boosted attendance and time-keeping.

"The Healthy Schools award looks at all aspects, including the physical and emotional well-being of staff and pupils and leadership and management."

The manager of the Quakers agreed to present the Healthy Schools award after being approached by the school secretary, Margaret Tinkler.

He told the children: "This is a huge achievement for everyone who took the time to say what they liked and didn't like about the school and helped improve things.

"You should all be really proud of yourselves."

Headteacher Di Teasdale added: "We have all worked very hard to get this award for the second time and we are very lucky to have it."