A WORCESTER school teacher has overcome tough international competition to win a prestigious award.

Elly Lengthorn, a geography and science teacher at Nunnery Wood High School, was presented with the Global Educator of the Year award, sponsored by education charity Think Global.

The award is given to celebrate individual teacher's efforts in raising awareness of United Nations' sustainability objectives.

These include challenges such as poverty, inequality and climate change.

Beacons Dec, a Worcestershire based development education charity where the teacher volunteers, nominated Ms Lengthorn for the award and she then went on and impressed a panel of judges with the volume and quality of her work.

In winning the award Ms Lengthorn received prize money of £500, with her work to be featured on a national teaching website.

She also receives training worth £1,000, provided by Think Global, to help develop the global learning programme.

Ms Lengthorn said: "Although I knew I had been nominated, I never thought I would win.

"I am delighted not only on a personal level, but for my school and for Beacons.

"But most of all because it raises the profile of global education and the importance of telling young people about some of the major challenges facing us all.”

Catherine Richardson, Think Global’s programme manager and co-ordinator of this year’s award, added: “Elly’s nomination really stood out for both the breadth and depth of her commitment to global learning, particularly working with young people and her teacher colleagues.”

"She’s a worthy winner.”