PUPILS and schools were rewarded for their efforts during a day to celebrate achievements in education.

Around 50 Blackburn and Darwen schools, each represented by two pupils, were presented with certificates in recognition for key achievements during the last year.

After feasting on cookies and Danish pastries for breakfast at Ewood Park and meeting the Blackburn Rovers team mascot, Roary, the children were praised for their efforts in a series of speeches.

The council's newly appointed executive member for education and lifelong learning, Coun Dave Hollings, at his first official engagement, said: "It is great to see so many people here today.

"It is vitally important for schools as a whole also for pupils to have their achievements recognised.

"They go to school day after day and it is nice to stop and look back at how far these children have come and I particularly support today because it recognises all sorts of achievements - not just the academic.

"It is the schools which choose what they want to celebrate - from winning awards, doing well in Ofsted inspections or excelling in art or sport for example.

"Coming to Blackburn Rovers will be really exciting for them and a day to remember, which should spur them on in the future."

Di Grimshaw, a teacher at Audley Infant School and chairperson at Wensley Fold Primary School had accompanied pupils Nafisa Karbhari, 11, and Adam Kodu, 11.

She said: "It is lovely to celebrate the achievements of all the children at our schools, not just Nafisa's and Luke's.

"Nafisa was diagnosed with Crohns disease last year and considering all the time she has had to take off has achieved a really good standard of work and Luke is here because he scored 100 per cent in his Maths Standardised Assessment Tests."

Margaret Long, head teacher at St James's Church of England Primary School, echoed Mrs Grimshaw's sentiments saying: "It is wonderful to celebrate the achievements of all the children in the school as well as the other schools in our community.

"Children should be rewarded whatever their ability and today has acknowledged those with special needs and academically gifted pupils along side those who are good at sport or art."

She had chosen 10 year-old Islay Dickinson and Yasmin Forster, aged seven to represent the school because of their efforts and commitment to work, excellent behaviour and good manners.