The campaign to save a primary school in Fivemiletown from closure has been crowned Best Community Campaign.

The accolade was presented to St Mary’s Primary School at this year’s Sheila McKechnie Awards.

The awards, which acknowledge the best campaigns and campaigners across the UK, are dedicated to those who have achieved social change through civic action.

The ceremony took place on Wednesday (May 15) evening in central London.

Mairaid Kelly, chair of the Board of Governors, said: "This Award is for everyone who supported our campaign to protect our small rural school from closure.

"To the people of Fivemiletown and beyond, and to the children and their families who protested with us, wrote letters and collected signatures on petitions, please know that this Award is for you all.

"We have shown what a truly cross-community campaign can achieve, and how the rights of children in rural areas to access services are every bit as important as those in other places."

She promised to continue fighting for these rights and the importance of small schools, particularly those set in rural communities.

She added: "We hope this Award gives hope to many others out there who are fighting to protect services that matter to them, and in those difficult times when they doubt whether it will all be worthwhile, please remember that a wee group of parents in Fivemiletown just won a UK-wide award for their campaign, so you can do it too.”

Colm Gildernew MLA said: "This is a phenomenal achievement and thoroughly deserved recognition for the campaign to save St Mary’s in Fivemiletown.

"I also want to recognise the ongoing efforts of the school to support others in similar circumstances, and I am delighted to continue to work with them to increase the recognition of the value of small rural schools.”