AROUND 80 people attended the successful 'Youth Speaks' competition held by Tavistock Rotary Club earlier this month.

With categories for junior, intermediate and senior age groups, the competition saw teams from Tavistock Primary School, St Peter's Junior School, Lifton Primary School, Tavistock College and Kelly College take part.

In the junior competition, Lifton Primary School's team of Sophie Horn, Kaleena Lizzell and Jago Watson were the ultimate victors, with their subject 'Zoos — do we need them?' In second place was St Peter's School — Laureen Walker, supported by Daniel Gibbs and Millie Steel spoke on a similar subject, 'Zoos — Do they have a place in our modern society?' Tavistock Primary School were third and fourth. Their subject matter was 'Why Dads should not dance' by Daniel Drummond, Emily Attfield and Ellesse Blackmore, and 'Do primiership footballers earn too much?' by Laura Cawsey, Matthew Chambers and James Murphy.

The intermediate category was won by Tavistock College, whose subject was 'Pardon me — Does etiquette have a place in our modern society?' which was well spoken by Florence Rodgers, supported by Joe Way and Jed Coiley. Second was Harry Peak, with Will Bennett and Angus Hogg from Kelly College, who spoke on 'We all have the right to protest'.

The senior section featured three teams each from Kelly College and Tavistock College.

The first and second places went to Tavistock College, whose subject matter was 'Jack of all trades, master of none', presented by Beni Evans supported by George Rodgers and Charlie Hubbard, and 'Human cloning — science at its best', presented by Katy Hyde, Laura Hopkins and Hannah Keane.

Kelly College was third, with 'The human impact on our planet', presented by Ryan Kingsley, Christine Corlet and Darcey Ball.

A spokesman for Tavistock Rotary Club said: 'The event ran very smoothly and this year, we had two teams of adjudicators. The evening proved most enjoyable and entertaining to all.

'The Rotary Club extended their thanks to Kelly College for the venue and their excellent mid-event refreshments, and to all the participants and their coaches for their efforts in preperation for the evening.'

The next round of the event will be held at Callington College. Due to the increased number of participants, the junior competition will be held on Tuesday, February 23 at 5.30pm, at which Lifton Primary School will compete.

The intermediate and senior competition will be held on Wednesday February 24 at 5.30pm with the three winning teams from Tavistock College taking part, the first intermediate prize winner and the first and second prize winning teams from the senior section.