The cream of the Norfolk's unsung army of school governors and clerks stepped into the limelight yesterday.

A clutch of those recognised as the best in the county were given certificates for their tireless behind-the-scenes work to manage schools.

It was the second annual awards ceremony, organised by Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk Governors' Network (NGN), which aim to highlight the valuable role played by the county's 5,000 governors.

Awards were given to governors who have gone beyond the call of duty, steered their school through difficulties or successfully supported a period of change.

The event took place at Norwich's Castle Museum, with the awards presented by Richard Jewson, the Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk.

Mr Jewson said: 'Norfolk's governors play a crucial role in the county's schools, giving their time and expertise to support the education of our children and young people.

'The county is indebted to all its governors, who give fantastic public service to their communities. These awards recognise those who have made a notable contribution to the improvement of their school and I am delighted to have been invited to present the certificates to the winners.'

Among the 30 winners were:

? Pat Gyte, who has helped guide Chapel Break Infant School, Norwich, to two outstanding Ofsted reports

? Jill Jacobs, of Rollesby Primary and Cobholm Primary, who has 'transformed the governing body at Cobholm'

? Stephen Flynn, a 'multi-skilled businessman' with a vision to steer Docking Primary from a successful Victorian primary into an 'outstanding education centre'.

Alison Thomas, the county council's cabinet member for children's services, said: 'School governors are crucial to the success of a school, providing a critical and supportive voice for the school's leadership and helping to guide the direction of a school.

'Being a governor is both challenging and rewarding and it is right that we recognise their contribution in this way.'

Stephen Adamson, chairman of NGN, said: 'We know that governors make a real difference to their schools. Before we started the awards last year, we looked around the country to help us identify those special things that some governors do that help raise their schools that bit higher.'

?Norfolk currently has 700 governor vacancies. To get involved call 01603 433276.

steve.downes@archant.co.uk