REWARD schemes where pupils' efforts can lead to prizes are having a positive impact in Lancashire classrooms.

That is the verdict of an education chief who says rewarding children for anything from good truancy records to getting better grades than expected is paying dividends.

Coun Alan Whittaker, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for schools, said: "There's nothing wrong with a bit of encouragement.

"Parents do need to follow it up and carry on the praise when they get home."

But a parent group has blasted the reward schemes, saying pupils should know how to conduct themselves without "needless bribery."

Nick Seaton, chairman of The Campaign for Real Education, which pushes for more parental choice in UK schools, has attacked such schemes.

He said: "It's giving out the wrong message saying you will reward children for what they should be doing anyway - it's using public money for a form of bribery."