FOUR Wyre Forest teachers have been awarded top marks in a prestigious award ceremony.

Liz Quinn, of Stourport High School, together with Catherine Lawson-Broadhead and David Butler, of Baxter College in Kidderminster, were runners-up in their individual categories in The Teaching Awards 2006 West Midlands ceremony.

Gareth Webb, of Lickhill Middle School, was also recognised for his hard work and dedication when he became a shortlisted nominee.

The event, hosted by BBC Midlands Today presenter, Ashley Blake, celebrated excellence in education and took place at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum last Thursday.

Mrs Lawson-Broadhead, who works as a business and French teacher at Baxter College, picked up the runner-up prize for The Teaching Award for enterprise.

Joining her was music teacher, Mr Butler, who joined the same school in 2003 and was also runner-up in the teacher of the year in a secondary school category.

Headteacher of Baxter College, Dave Seddon, who won the headteacher of the year category two years ago, said: "It's wonderful to be acknowledged and they are both exceptional teachers.

"If you think about how many teachers took part across the West Midlands it's a fantastic achievement to come second. However, I think our teachers were good enough to have won their categories."

Elsewhere, Mr Webb was commended in the outstanding new teacher award and Mrs Quinn, of Stourport High School, also gained a distinction in the headteacher of the year in a secondary school section.

The ceremony was a celebration of excellence in school across the West Midlands and an opportunity to pay tribute to the contribution made by all finalists to their schools and the wider community.

Caroline Evans, chief executive of The Teaching Awards, said: "This year, the number and quality of nominations for the Teaching Awards was higher than ever before and every single finalist deserves enormous credit for reaching this stage in the process.

"The ceremony was a wonderful opportunity for us all to acknowledge publicly the outstanding contribution that they've made and to thank them for their work."

The regional winners will now go on to attend the National Teaching Awards ceremony at the Theatre Royal in London in London in October.