PRIMARY school students have been shortlisted for a national award for their reading.

The 12 youngsters from Mile Oak Primary School in Portslade will travel to the Hilton hotel in Westminster for the Times Educational Supplement Schools Awards after being shortlisted in the Literacy and English Award category.

Martin Cooper, who co-ordinates the school’s reading scheme, believes pupils’ passion for reading is what got the school shortlisted.

He said: “In our school, 95% of the students say the like or really like reading, where nationally it’s down at about 50%.

“We have a genuine passion for reading at Mile Oak and we must be doing something right – I think we’re really onto something.”

The school has a dedicated walk of fame where reading champions are celebrated in Hollywood style.

Mr Cooper will be selecting three of the current crop of reading champions who will feature on their special pavement.

Youngsters at Mile Oak start as Reading Stars in the infant school before becoming Gold Reading Champions – the highest accolade at the school.