A GWENT primary school teacher scooped a prestigious award last night when she was named best teacher in the UK.

Pam Roberts, of Park Street Infant School in Abergavenny, was the only Welsh teacher to travel to London for the ceremony hosted by GMTV's Eamonn Holmes.

The Teaching Awards 2004, dubbed the 'Oscars' of the teaching profession, took place at the Palace Theatre yesterday.

The awards ceremony was attended by 146 teachers from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mrs Roberts was presented with her gold plate after winning Best Primary School Teacher and a prize package for Park Street Infant School worth £25,000.

Jane Davidson AM, Welsh minister for education and lifelong learning, congratulated all the winners.

She said: "The annual Teaching Awards provides an excellent opportunity to publicly celebrate the individual achievements of teaching assistants, teachers and headteachers."

To win, Mrs Roberts had to be nominated locally and then visited in school by award panel members.

She said: "It was such a surprise, I still can't believe it, it hasn't sunk in. I am very honoured, the pupils are lovely and I can't wait for half term to be over so we can celebrate."