A GUISBOROUGH school is hoping for an award after beating 800 primary schools world-wide to reach the top five in a newspaper competition.

Northgate Junior School was picked from thousands of schools which took part in the Times Educational Supplement's Newsday 2004 International Challenge.

The nine to ten-year-olds were required to put together a newspaper, containing local, national, international news. The 15 youngsters completed their computer-generated 21-page paper within one school day in March.

Teacher Kate Limbert said: "We got distinctions in 2001 and 2003 in the competition but we've never got to the top five before. We're delighted."

The school, which gained a distinction in the contest, is invited to an award ceremony at the Palace of Westminster on June 18, when it hopes to win the award for the top primary school. Anyone who can help towards the cost of the trip can call (01287) 635728.