STUDENT Matt Gorman overcame his nerves to triumph in a countywide public speaking contest.

The 17-year-old from Hempstead, Gillingham, pulled off a home victory in the Young Enterprise Kent County Speakers Competition sponsored by BAE Systems and held at the firm's plant in City Way, Rochester.

Matt, a sixth-former at Rainham Mark Grammar School, appeared confident and relaxed as he spoke for seven minutes about the pains and gains of Internet firms. He narrowly edged out rivals from schools across the county to win the cut glass trophy and a cheque for £50.

The Mayor of Medway Cllr Tony Goulden presented Matt with his prize. "It's fantastic to have a winner from Medway but everyone was marvellous," he said.

Nicholas Hoggard, from Cranbrook School, came second with a witty talk about the disadvantages of the dotcom revolution. He won £25. Matt, cheered by fellow members of his school's Young Enterprise company Destrier when the result was announced, could not believe it.

"I just did not expect to win because the competition was so good," he said. "I'm shocked. I was nervous before I started but it was all right once I got started."

Matt's victory also meant he had to speak at the Kent IoD Young Entrepreneurs Dinner to more than 100 business people in the Pall Mall headquarters of the Institute of Directors. Nicholas was also invited.

Jill Cochrane, former television presenter and chairman of Kent IoD, said communication was vital in business and quoted the "55 - 38 - 7" rule. "When you go for an interview or give a talk, 55 per cent is assessed on what you look like, 38 per cent on how you say it, and seven per cent is content."

The event was organised by Toni Clarke of Medway Education Business Partnership. Other speakers were Charlotte Hook from Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Francesca Holt (Combe Bank, Westerham), John Prebble (St Edmund's, Dover), Lianne Grant (Dover Grammar), and Tobias Kelly (Skinners, Tunbridge Wells).

The contest was judged by Lorraine Morriss, Young Enterprise project director, Diane Nicholls, editor with Kent Regional Newspapers, and Trevor Sturgess, business editor at the Kent Messenger Group.