PUPILS at Horwich Parish school are celebrating after receiving an award for physical education.

Horwich Parish CE primary school is just one of 167 schools nationwide to be presented with the Activemark Gold award, which is awarded in recognition of outstanding commitment to physical activity.

James Moscrop, aged 11, said: "I've played football ever since I was younger and we have a good school team who win a lot of awards but we have never won anything like this. I feel honoured."

Chief executive, Roger Draper, of Sport England the country's leading sports development agency, said: "I congratulate everyone at Horwich Parish school on their achievement. They have shown dedication to bring PE and sport to the fore of the school's focus."

Horwich Parish is encouraging pupils to be active both in and out of lessons. The school is giving pupils a positive experience with physical activity so they are more aware of obesity - a growing problem in the UK.

Roger Draper added: " We are finding more and more of our young people are becoming overweight as a result of their diet and a sedentary lifestyle. We need to re-emphasis the benefits of sport and physical activity and these schools have been awarded Activemark for doing just that."

Horwich Parish school which has just 400 pupils and 17 teaching staff has been encouraged to share the award with its pupils, staff and parents.

The award will be on display until 2007.