TEACHERS from West Devon schools were among those who gained top marks in the South West Teaching Awards held this week.

The awards were made at a ceremony at Powderham Castle near Exeter on last week and are part of the National Teaching Awards which take place in October.

Regional winners scoop £2,000 in cash for their school. Those who are specially commended receive £250 for their school, and a certificate of recognition is awarded to those who are shortlisted.

The award for school leadership in a primary school went to Bill Houldsworth, headteacher of St Andrews Primary School in Buckland Monachorum.

Mr Houldsworth said: 'I feel very honoured and it's good for the school and the children who nominated me.

'I have got an excellent staff, and it is the great teamwork of staff, governors and children at the school, which has made the award possible.'

He said the £2,000 prize would go towards match-funding for projects to improve the school grounds, including resurfacing of the playing fields, and offering a wider range of activities and facilities for children to enjoy outside.

Catherine Fildes from Tavistock Community College was specially commended in the category for school and community involvement.

And Bob Hooper from Tavistock College was shortlisted for the lifetime achievement award.

A spokesman for the Teaching Awards said: 'The nominations have been telling us about the extraordinary work of ordinary teachers and teaching assistants.'

The regional winners will now go on to the national competition in October, which will be broadcast on BBC1.