SCHOOLBOYS have been awarded a trophy for raising the most money in a national challenge.

About 140 boys, aged four to 13, from Bow School, Durham, raised £2,583 in Mencap's National Schools Spellathon 2002.

They were each sponsored to learn a selection of words approved by Oxford University Press and to spell them correctly during a test day.

The boys had between two and three weeks to learn their spellings and raise as much money as possible for children with learning disabilities.

Among the words they mastered were Basmati, ricotta, feng shui, jojoba, eurosceptic, multimedia and credibility.

All the money they raised will go to Mencap's new Let Us Know initiative, which uses different tools to encourage children with learning disabilities to express their emotions and communicate effectively.

The school was awarded a trophy for raising the highest amount per pupil in the country.

Caroline Atkinson, French teacher at Bow School, who co-ordinated the event, said: "All the boys who participated did so with great enthusiasm, putting a lot of effort into learning their words.

"The support given by parents and friends of the boys was overwhelming.

"We never dreamed we would raise this much money.

"The school has achieved a gold certificate for raising more than £250 and an engraved trophy for raising more than £500."

Headmaster Nick Baird said: "We are very proud of what the boys have achieved, and hope to repeat the event next year."