TWELVE pupils at Tudhoe Grange School have gained national awards in recognition of their voluntary work with children.

The year 11 students all qualified as young sports leaders by giving up their spare time to organise sporting events with younger children.

One of their projects was to help primary schools in the Spennymoor and Tudhoe area to host their own sports days.

The group worked towards Sports Leader Awards from the New Sports Trust while they were in year ten, and hope they will act as a stepping stone into higher education and careers.

Sports co-ordinator at the school, Roslyn McConnell, said: "Their efforts benefited everyone involved.

"The primaries had help hosting sports days and their pupils will recognise some friendly faces when they move to Tudhoe Grange, it builds our relationship with the primaries and the awards will be good on the students' CVs."

The following pupils gained the awards: Sarah Owens, Robert Jones, Kate Blackett, Abby Suffield, Danielle Butler, Victoria Fletcher, Nicola Monaghan, Becky Knowles, Alexandra Plews, Sean Gray, Stuart Bowie and Ian Geldard.