Two women from the North were honoured last night at a glittering teaching "Oscars" ceremony.

Denise Murray, from Beaumont Hill School, Darlington, and Cathy Roberts, from St Aiden's C of E school in Harrogate, both received awards known as Platos at the Teaching Awards 2000 which were held at the Millennium Dome.

Hosted by TV's Davina McCall, the awards were given to 14 of Britain's top teachers.

Denise and Cathy won a golden Plato trophy as well as £20,000 each for their schools.

Denise, who won the award for best classroom assistant, was described as one of life's givers.

Pupils and teachers at the school described Denise as an outstanding special support assistant who has incredible energy. Colleagues said she was someone who touched the lives of all those who knew her.

She said: "I'm totally amazed. I had great support at the school and I'm just so thrilled to have received the award.

"We don't know how we are going to spend the money yet but it is wonderful to have it."

Cathy was described as having endless drive and vision and had taken music into a whole new dimension.

She won the award for teacher of the year in a secondary school.

Singer Cleo Lane recently visited her school, and took the opportunity to present Cathy with her award early.

Cathy said: "It is an honour to work with children. It is a privilege to teach them and it is a privilege to be paid to do something that I love."