THERE'S gold in the arts for the children of Abbey Park Middle School in Pershore.

The pupils were displaying the drama skills that helped earn a top Artsmark Gold award in a school showcase this week at the Forum Theatre in Malvern.

Next Monday, headteacher Lynn Evans and arts co-ordinator, Ian Leaver, will be picking up the award from Central News presenter, Joanne Malin, at a ceremony in Warwick Arts Centre.

Representatives from Blackminster Middle School in Littleton, Bredon Hill Middle School in Aston-under-Hill and Prince Henry's High School in Evesham will be getting Artsmark Silver awards at the same event. Evesham High School will be getting an Artsmark and joining those which have reached the prestigious standard.

"The Artsmark is given to schools where children are given way above average in music, dance, drama and other arts, said Mrs Evans.

"We like to spend about half our time on the national curriculum and the other half on children's development in different ways. It calls for a lot of dedication and hard work from the staff."

The school, which has 237 pupils and is one of the smallest middle schools in the county, has now become one of the few to reach two gold standards as it picked up a Sportsmark Gold two years ago.

More than 100 pupils were involved in this year's play, called Doodlebug, and a ten-minute extract was being performed at the Showcase event for schools from across the county on Wednesday.