SPORTY youngsters at a Hampshire school are celebrating striking gold in a prestigious award.

Scantabout Primary School in Chandler's Ford has been handed a top-level Activemark award for its sports provision.

The Ionic Close school is one of just 49 schools across the country to be given the award, which recognises staff's consistent efforts to keep their pupils active and fit.

In total 163 schools won nationwide, but only 49 took the gold standard.

A huge programme of sport both in the curriculum and after school helped swing judges in Scantabout's favour.

Pupils at the school can choose to take part in anything from netball and rounders to orienteering and athletics. During lunchtimes pupils organise their own sports training programmes and coach each other, under the watchful gaze of staff.

Community involvement in the school sport was also a big factor, with a recent Sports Celebration Week seeing parents and other members of the Chandler's Ford community getting involved

Head teacher Julian Pass said: "We are providing as wide a range of sporting activities as we possibly can. We are trying to plant the idea that sport and exercise are good things to do because they keep you healthy and a healthy body is a healthy mind. This also makes them good learners. I should thank the entire staff. To win a nationally recognised award takes a lot of work."

David Moffett, the chief executive of Sport England, which is behind the awards, congratulated the schools.

He said: "We are finding more of our young people are becoming overweight as a result of their diet and a sedentary lifestyle. We need to re-emphasise the benefits of sport and physical activity to children and young people through positive first experiences at school.

"These schools have been awarded Activemark for doing just that. They have shown a dedication to bring PE and sport to the fore of the school's focus and have encouraged their pupils to be active both in and out of lessons."