STUDENTS from schools across Stevenage battled it out in a speaking competition.

Fifteen pupils entered the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition, which was held in the main chamber at Stevenage Borough Council.

The audience listened to discussions on a number of subjects including freedom of speech, racism in football, and the youth service.

John Henry Newman School won the 11 to 13-year-old and the senior categories with Barnwell School collecting the Best Speaker Award.

The Mayor of Stevenage, councillor John Lloyd, helped judge the competition and has invited all the students back in recognition of their achievements.

Certificates, prizes and winners Cups were presented by the president of The Rotary Club of Stevenage, Alex Lang.

He said: “The standard of teams has been extremely high – I’m glad I was not judging, as it must have been a close call. Hopefully, we will see more schools entering next year – this is certainly a competition to put any school entering on the map.”

The next round of the competition will take place on February 5 at the Queen Mother’s Theatre in Hitchin.

For more information about Rotary contact Iola Samuels via iola.samuels@talktalk.net