A PRIMARY school headteacher will be swapping the classroom for royal gardens when he meets Prince Charles on Friday.

Ian Dryburgh has been headteacher at Blackrod Primary School for 17 years and has been invited to attend the Prince of Wales' celebration of school achievements on behalf of the Manchester Road school.

Mr Dryburgh will travel to Highgrove House for the event, held annually in recognition of schools in England which have performed particularly well throughout the year.

Blackrod Primary was one of three Bolton schools to be singled out for special praise in this year's annual education report.

Thomasson Memorial School, in Devonshire Road, Bolton, and St Peter's Smithills Dean Primary School were also mentioned as some of the most successful inspectors had visited.

Mr Dryburgh said: "It is a great testament to everyone who works in the school and it's a shame I can't take all the staff and the pupils with me."

This is the second piece of good news Blackrod Primary has received recently, after being awarded Active Mark Gold status for PE by Sport England last week.

Mr Dryburgh said: "This is also something that is not given to a lot of schools so we are thrilled. There will be a lot of celebration this week.

"I am very proud of everyone at Blackrod, but I am proud on a day to day basis, not just when something special happens."