A schoolgirl has beaten hundreds of other pupils to win a public speaking competition.

Debden Park High School pupil, Sophie Rudd, impressed judges with an impassioned speech about supporting the armed forces.

The year 10 student won the west Essex final of the Jack Petchey Speak Out challenge, which took place on Wednesday.

Helen Gascoyne, Headteacher at Debden Park High School, said that she was “immensely proud” of Sophie.