FIVE local schools have been awarded Beacon status from the Department of Education and Employment.

The award, which recognises outstanding practice in all areas of school life, has also been given to St Andrew's School in Ashton-on-Ribble, Manor Road Primary in Clayton-le-Woods, Garstang Community Primary, and St Anne's CE School in Woodplumpton.

The Beacon concept is part of a drive to raise standards through building and collaborating with others, and schools gaining the award will receive an extra £30,000 a year.

Schools are invited to apply for the status on the grounds that they have been named in OFSTED's most recent annual report as being among the 'best performing' in the country, that they have been consistently high performers in relation to their circumstances over the past three or four years, or that they have been nominated by their local education authority.

This will provide initial teacher training, to work with newly qualified teachers and support other schools in their area.

Lancashire's education and cultural services committee chairman County Councillor Hazel Harding said: "I am delighted that once again our schools have been recognised by the DfEE. It is good to know that other schools will benefit from this in the years to come."

And the headmistress of St Augustine's Primary School, in Avenham, has revealed her delight at the award.

Angela Pye said: "We're thrilled at getting the beacon award.

"We have been working with other schools in the past and hopefully this will allow us to do more so.

"It's also important that town centre school has been recognised.

"The staff and children are delighted and it is good to know that a department such as the DfEE have noticed us."