CELEBRATIONS take place later this month at a Wear Valley school that has been awarded a gold star from a major arts body.

Peases West Primary School, in Billy Row, near Crook, was the first in County Durham to be awarded an Artsmark Gold Award from the Arts Council of England.

The award recognises excellence in the way arts education is taught in the school.

In recent months, children have worked with poet Gillian Allnutt to improve their writing skills, while others composed a folk song while working with musician Ken Patterson. Textile artist Clare Satow also worked with children to produce a wall hanging depicting the history of Billy Row.

The work will be unveiled at a ceremony on October 19 by Government Chief Whip and North-West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong.