SOME of the region's most dedicated teachers will be honoured next week.

During the Teaching Awards 2002, honours will be handed out to celebrate the role which teachers and teaching assistants play.

Hundreds of nominations have been submitted by the local community, parents and pupils.

The North-East and Cumbria regional awards will be presented at a ceremony on Thursday, at the Old Assembly Rooms, Newcastle.

Winners receive a prize package worth £3,000 for their school, including £2,000 in cash and £1,000 worth of computer equipment.

Those who receive a special commendation will receive £250 for their school.

The ceremonies are among 12 similar BT-backed events being staged across the country.

Regional winners will go on to the 2002 Teaching Awards Ceremony being held at the Theatre Royal, London, on October 27.

National winners will receive a further cash grant of £13,000 and prizes including an interactive whiteboard, taking the total value of their award to £25,000.

This year's shortlists includes The BT Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary School, for which Maureen Stephenson, St Mary's RC Primary, Newcastle is nominated.

Other categories include The BT Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School, for which Sue Davies, Thornhill Secondary, Sunderland, has been nominated.

Nominated for The Guardian Award for Outstanding New Teacher is Timothy Cassap, St Michael's RC Primary, Durham;

The Award for Lifetime Achievement shortlist includes Margaret Cairns, Bailey Green Primary, Newcastle, and Joan Lister, Ashfield Nursery, Newcastle