New primary school tables have been thrown into chaos because of a boycott of national tests.

Forty per cent of the schools in Lancashire opted not to take the tests after teaching unions had complained they were unfair and stifled creative learning.

Of the 60 schools in Hyndburn and Ribble Valley six boycotted and 54 took the test.

The Key Stage Two examinations are taken in May by every 11-year-old in the country to measure their performance in maths and English.

The highest-achieving Hyndburn establishment on this year’s tables was Hippings Methodist Primary School in Oswaldtwistle.

Thirty pupils eligible to take the tests at the voluntary controlled school scored an average of 29.9 out of a possible 33 points in English and maths.

Headteacher Janice Lewer said: "Obviously we are thrilled but we take it with a pinch of salt because last year we were down at the bottom and this year we are at the top. We are very proud of the children and the work that the staff do and the support we get from our parents."

The Key Stage 2 exams test children's knowledge and ability in English and maths. Pupils are asked to perform calculations, write reports, or identify key phrases in a passage of text.

The next-best performing schools in the region were Baxenden St John's C of E Primary School (29.7), All Saints C of E Primary School, Clayton-le-Moors (29.6) and Our Lady and St Hubert's Roman Catholic Primary School, Great Harwood (29.2).

County Councillor Susie Charles, Cabinet Member for Children and Schools, said: "I am very pleased with the progress Lancashire's primary schools are making.

"The key stage two results show that the schools that took part in the tests improved by two per cent on last year. We should however bear in mind that 40 per cent of the schools in the county chose not to undertake the tests.

"The figures relating to children between the age of seven and 11 also continue to show that Lancashire is performing above the national average.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate children, teachers, parents and governors for these excellent results. They clearly demonstrate our ongoing commitment to providing young people with a high quality education," she added.