ONE of Leigh Education Action Zone's most innovative projects put Leigh Rotary Club on cue for a prestigious regional award.

Rotarians were so pleased they produced a document, outlining a public speaking initiative, as its entry into the movement's Indian Rose Bowl Competition.

Let The Children Speak -- a public speaking event aimed at raising youngsters' self-esteem in the Zone's 26 schools -- has been outstandingly successful.

Some of the successes were outlined in the Rotary entry with glowing comments from speakers and parents.

Gareth Cheesman, chairman of Leigh EAZ Action Forum and chairman of Leigh Rotary's Community Services Committee, prepared the Indian Rose Bowl entry and has hosted each of the Let The Children Speak events.

He said: "I am thrilled the Rotary Club of Leigh agreed to support this wonderful programme. The performance of the children gives enormous pleasure to the audience and is ample reward for Rotary involvement.

EAZ project director Alan Dutton said: "Leigh Rotary's active support and participation has been a crucial factor in the event's success and we wish them well in the Indian Rose Bowl competition.

"This year 30 children took part and those 30 children now have higher expectations of themselves and a great deal more confidence to take with them into their high school careers."