Pupils from Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical school in Rochester and Chatham Grammar school for Boys took the top prizes at the finals of this year’s Rotary Youth Speaks competition.

Jo Dean, 11, from Strood, took the intermediate title for speakers under 14 years old, David Humphreys, 16, from Cuxton, won the senior title.

For both of them, it was the first time they had entered such a competition.

Jo, who wants to be a West End actor, and spoke on ‘There are excusable lies,’ said it was a nerve racking experience.

David said he had been given a leaflet about the competition during a lesson in school. “I thought: why not?,” he said. “It looked like a great opportunity.”

David, who aims to be a songwriter, practised in secret.

The first time his family heard him speak on ‘The United Nations should be given more power to control the actions of countries which invade other sovereign states,” was on the night.

Danielle Greer, of Chatham South school was runner up in the intermediate section while Riti Patel, of Kings School, came second in the senior category.

Organiser, Rotarian Roger Hill,said:“Being able to make a presentation to an audience is a very important skill that will benefit someone for the rest of their lives.”

Details of next year’s competition will be circulated to all Medway secondary schools in the new year.