A HAND hygiene pilot scheme has been shortlisted for a national health award.

North Tees Primary Care Trust will discover today if it has won the National Health Service Journal award after improving facilities at Egglescliffe School, in Eaglescliffe.

The award recognises innovation and improvement in health care and is now in its 24th year.

Bev Reilly, the trust's lead nurse for infection prevention and control, has worked with more than 600 teenagers at the school to raise awareness of the importance of hand hygiene.

The trust awarded the school £5,000 towards improving the toilets and hygiene facilities in lower school.

It involved setting up a pupil working group, which had an overall say in the design and colour of the toilets and hand-wash facilities.

Many competitions were held, including badge and poster designs and the children also received educational sessions on the history of hand washing and basic everyday germs.

Ms Reilly said the pilot scheme would now be taken to other schools.

She said: " Children are an excellent group to target."