Two children at Borehamwood's Parkside School have been elected Parkside Person of the Year by their fellow pupils.

Jack Ely and Rebecca Sherrock, both aged 10 years, were given the awards after the school's pupils were asked to choose a boy and a girl who they could look up to as responsible and considerate role models.

Headteacher Jon O'Conner said the scheme was now in its fifth year, and was proving useful for both pupils and teachers. "The idea is that they will provide role models for the rest of the school, which gives them a sense of responsibility. It is important that they are elected by the other children.

"We asked the children in years one to five who they respected for their consideration and the way they acted, and they came up with their own reasons for saying who they wanted.

"We came up with a shortlist of pupils who the younger children liked. It's quite healthy, when children like other pupils who are maybe five years older," he said.

Jack and Rebecca both received £10 book vouchers, and will have their names engraved on the Parkside Person award shield. At a recent assembly the scheme's sponsor, school volunteer Marjorie Gray, presented the children with the award shield.