PRIMARY school youngsters turned their hands to brickwork, plumbing, joinery and roofing to gain a construction award.

All 51 pupils from Bowes Hutchinson Church of England Primary School, Barnard Castle, successfully tackled the challenges laid before them to win the Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB)national gold award. It is thought the school has become the first in the country where every pupil has achieved the award.

The youngsters were taken to Bishop Auckland College to receive their certificates from CITB's regional vocational education advisor.

The awards were introduced for children in key stages one to three at the beginning of this academic year.

Children in key stage one have to complete three units to achieve gold and key stage two pupils must complete six units.

The units include activities involving shelter, structures, materials, systems, health and safety and careers in construction