AN EAST Lancashire school has been named as one of the country's most improving for the third year in a row.

St Christopher's High School in Accrington has been recognised by the Specialist School and Academies Trust (SSAT) for making outstanding improvements to their GCSE results in 2007.

It was one of 359 schools nationwide to have been recognised this week in Piccadilly, London.

Headteacher Alasdair Coates said the school was "extremely proud" to scoop the award. He said: "It is a recognition of the hard work of all of our staff and pupils.

"It is a team effort and I am particularly proud that we have managed to get it for the third time in succession."

Elizabeth Reid, chief executive of the SSAT said: "I would like to congratulate these schools for achieving outstanding improve-ments to their GCSE results.

"It is important that we recognise success in the education system as it is the product of hard work, good leadership and innovative approaches to teaching and learning."