LORNA MARSH Frantic weeks of cutting, collecting and nail-biting anticipation culminates today as the EDP reveals the schools that have won our fantastic 2006 Get Equipped competition.

LORNA MARSH

Frantic weeks of cutting, collecting and nail-biting anticipation culminates today as the EDP reveals the schools that have won our fantastic 2006 Get Equipped competition.

Normally five schools are chosen to share a £15,000 jackpot, but, in a particularly tough year, judges unanimously voted to pick six main winners. Four schools from across the region won £3,000 each, while in and around the Norwich area and under exceptional circumstances, judges decided to split the money between two schools.

The Earthsea Centre in Honingham, which caters for just eight pupils, was chosen to win £1,000, while Nightingale First School in Taverham received £2,000.

The judges felt it would not be appropriate to devote the whole of the £3,000 prize to a school catering for so few children and agreed that this was the best per capita solution to two outstanding entries.

Elsewhere, the winners of £3,000 were Great Dunham Primary; John Grant School, Caister; Rocklands Community Primary, Rockland All Saints; Sheringham Community Primary and Nursery.

Entries including imaginative coloured boards, boxes and displays and Great Dunham Primary even featured a cuddly toy mouse.

The remaining 107 entrants will share £10,000.

Paul Durrant, EDP news editor and assistant editor, said: “It's a matter of serious concern that so many schools appear to have so little available to spend on sport. We are convinced these prizes will make a big difference to thousands of children, and once again delighted to be in partnership with The Mall to reward their excellence.”

The judging panel comprised Mr Durrant, Simon Tomlinson, marketing manager for the EDP, senior reporter Lorna Marsh and The Mall Norwich marketing manager Sophie Hallett.

Mr Tomlinson said: “The winners had a clear vision of how the money would benefit the school and its pupils and it is great knowing that the EDP and the Mall Norwich will help them achieve their goals.”

Miss Hallett said The Mall was delighted to partner the EDP for a second year and was thrilled with the response. “We want to invest in the communities that we serve. We look forward to seeing families grow healthier and to charting the progress of future sporting heroes from Norfolk.”

See Saturday's EDP for full coverage of the winners.