Pictured is Mr. Eric Evans, assistant headteacher at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland, who received a lifetime achievement award at this week's Teaching Awards 2004 Ceremony for Wales.

The ceremony was held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Monday, and Mr. Evans was one of 13 headteachers, teachers and teaching assistants to receive a prize package worth over £3,000 for their school, including a £2,000 cash grant and an ICT package worth in excess of £2,500.

The prestigious ceremony, the fifth of its kind, was hosted by BBC anchor Colette Hume, of BBC Wales Today, and attended by Jane Davidson AM, Simon Thomas MP, and Professor Roy James CBE, chair of the Awards Panel for Wales.

Originally from Rhos Langeller, near Llandysul, Mr. Evans began his teaching career in 1971, in Pencader Primary School, and then moved to what was then the Secondary Modern School in St. Clears.

He transferred to Ysgol Dyffryn Taf on reorganisation of secondary education in the area in 1989.

He was appointed head of mathematics and later became assistant headteacher.

Another local teacher, Niki Stenson, of Manorbier VC Primary School, received a 'special commendation' in the BT Primary School Teacher of the Year category.

She was presented with a £250 cheque for her school.

All nominations were assessed by the awards panel made up of representatives from the education community chaired by Prof. Roy James. Panel members visited every shortlisted nominee in their school to observe lessons and to hear testimony from members of the school community.

"As in previous years the quality of the nominees was very high; it was very difficult to choose between them and pick a winner," said Roy. "Irrespective of who takes home the awards, they are all winners."