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.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here