THE semi-final of an annual public speaking competition will take place on Tuesday. Youth Speaks, organised and sponsored by the Hitchin and District Rotary Club, invites schools and youth groups to send in teams of youngsters to publicly debate hot topic

THE semi-final of an annual public speaking competition will take place on Tuesday.

Youth Speaks, organised and sponsored by the Hitchin and District Rotary Club, invites schools and youth groups to send in teams of youngsters to publicly debate hot topics of the day.

The previous round, which was the Hitchin heat held at the Queen Mother Theatre in Woodside, Walsworth Road, produced two winning schools.

Princess Helena College, from Preston, won the senior level for the third year running and Hitchin Boys' School won the intermediate level.

Among the judges in the Hitchin heat was Comet editor Darren Isted, and among the subjects debated were reality TV shows and are youngsters growing up too quickly.

Les Farley, chairman of the rotary club's youth activities, said of the Hitchin heat: "It was very lively and enjoyable to watch."

Next week's semi-final takes place at the theatre from 6pm. Admission is free.