PUPILS at a special school in Darlington have another reason to celebrate after scooping an award as part of a national initiative.

It is the fourth piece of good news for staff and youngsters at Beaumont Hill Special School in as many weeks.

The school, which caters for children with learning and physical disabilities, has received a health award.

The accolade follows a string of successes, including headteacher Della Smith being made a Dame in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, and teacher Caroline Berry being given a Millennium award.

The latest award forms part of a national healthy schools initiative overseen locally by Darlington Primary Care Group and Darlington Borough Council.

Staff have been working on the scheme for more than two years and have had to fulfil strict criteria before the award was presented.

Subjects addressed included emotional health and well-being, healthy eating, PE, safety and drug education.

Co-ordinator Val Hetherington said: "The range of children involved included physically disabled children and children with learning difficulties.

"What we are doing here with the pupils, in particular giving them music therapy, is just wonderful."

The award also looks at the school's relations with parents, governors, outside agencies including the environmental health department, and other schools.

Assessors were impressed that the school was the first in the town to become a no smoking zone.

Beverley Palmer, of Darlington Primary Care Group, said: "We look at the personal, social and health education and the way that influences what they do outside school as well as inside. The only idea is to constantly build positive health promotion messages within all the different lessons. It's about trying to build awareness.

"Beaumont Hill school was absolutely wonderful. One of the mediums they use to look after themselves and in activities is music therapy."