A SCOTS teacher has been given top marks after being named Teacher of the Year at a UK wide competition.    

Christine Emmett, 51, beat off thousands of other hopefuls to land the prize after she was nominated by one of her pupils.    

Mrs Emmett, who works at St Elizabeth's Primary School in her hometown of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, accepted the accolade from designer Vivienne Westwood.    

She was recognised for her enthusiastic teaching techniques and bringing real life into the classroom at a glittering ceremony hosted by comedian Lenny Henry in London.    

Last year Mrs Emmett had told how she was at the centre of speculation she had scooped a bumper £113million Lotto jackpot.    

But she laughed off the rumours and has now told of her joy at winning a real prize at the Pearson Teaching Awards ceremony.    

She said: "This is for all the boys and girls of St Elizabeth's Primary School past and present.    

"I am absolutely thrilled with this award and am stunned and surprised to have won and I am truly humbled.    

"I feel that this is for all the staff and pupils at St Elizabeth's Primary School and although this has been a fantastic experience I am keen to get back into the classroom and show the trophy off."    

After winning the Scottish Teacher of the Year accolade in June, Mrs Emmett had two visits from the UK judges to the school where she has taught for over 25 years.    

Her classroom techniques include bringing in chefs to explain about weights and measurements.    

And she has also encouraged pupils to build teepees and use dyes as facepaint as they studied the topic of plains and indians    

She is now preparing to meet with Prime Minister David Cameron later in the week in recognition of her award.    

UK judges found her big personality and profound influence runs 'like a golden thread' through everything that happens within St Elizabeth's.    

The judging panel agreed that she captivates children's interest 'like a pied piper' and is adept at involving the community, for example a car salesman and cake shop owner help out with practical maths.    

She speaks Scots and Spanish fluently in her primary three and four class and has long-held passions for green issues and fair trade.    

Councillor Mary Smith, Chair of South Lanarkshire Council's Education Resources Committee said: "Christine is a great role model for not only her pupils but for teachers, families and friends in the local community."    

Larry Forde, Executive Director of Education Resources at South Lanarkshire Council said: "The award is very well deserved. Christine is an enthusiastic and dedicated professional.    

"She has an infectious personality, motivating everyone around her as she works tirelessly to make the lessons interesting and fun for pupils."    

Last October Christine had come under siege after rumours swept her hometown that she had landed a lottery fortune.    

Reps from banks phoned her eager to take charge of a huge EuroMillions fortune she was wrongly thought to have won.    

Speaking at the time, the bemused mum-of-two said: "I've absolutely no idea why people think I've won it but I haven't.    

"All I can say is thank God I haven't won it because this has been hell.    

"I don't even play the lottery. I was out today and I came back in and I've got people phoning me, banks phoning me.    

"It's like I have a fairy godmother somewhere that wants me to win it but it's turned into a nightmare."