YOUNG public speakers from Noremarsh School retained the trophy in the fourth annual junior public speaking competition organised by Wootton Bassett and District Rotary Club this week.

Teams from six schools entertained a large audience at the town’s Memorial Hall and the champion speeches focused on the history of the Olympic Games, Olympic and Paralympic legends and London 2012. The winners, James Absalom, Francesca Anderton and Luc Doran, were presented with their trophy by Rotary President John Loran.

Runners-up, Lydiard Millicent Primary School team – Jasmine Hartley, Joseph Stuckey and Amy Hadfield – spoke on Ice Skating, Football and Story Writing. The two top teams won book tokens for themselves and their schools.

The 18 participants were congratulated by public speaking consultant Philip Porter, who was one of three expert judges.

Speaking at the event, he said: “You are a class act, and I take my hat off to you.

“I spend a lot of time with professionals who cannot get through their speeches without saying ‘er, um’ and looking at their feet. You are a most extraordinary group.”

All entrants spoke on topics of their choice, with subjects ranging from vaccination, pets, global warming and sports to computer technology.