EAST Durham school pupils have been rewarded for their effort and achievement under a scheme designed to raise standards.

Sixty-four year ten pupils at Seaham Comprehensive School, who have made the most progress in their studies, have shared £7,500.

The money, which must be spent on something educational, was paid by the Easington and Seaham Education Action Zone, as part of a Government pilot project to encourage youngsters in their work.

It offers three levels of reward.

Twenty pupils collected £50 or bronze awards, 30 received the £100 silver award, and 14 were presented with the £250 gold award.

The youngsters qualified for the awards by showing high levels of school attendance and punctuality, as well as high standards of behaviour.

They will be able to use the money to pay for things such as a new computer, sports lessons, catch-up lessons, or using the computer suite at Sunderland FC's Stadium of Light for their schoolwork.

The school's headteacher, Bob Dingle, said: "The good thing about the awards is that they don't just go to the brightest children.

"They go to all pupils who have reached their personal targets and applied themselves over the year."

He said the awards went to youngsters of all abilities and backgrounds, and that the rewards they received would enable them to take part in activities they might miss out on otherwise.