THREE articulate pupils from St Mary's RC High School have walked away with a top trophy for public speaking.

Thomas Fowler, aged 14, Alex Baugh, 14, and Emma Rampley, 13, talked their way to success against six other Blackpool schools in the Blackpool North Rotary Competition this month.

The youngsters chose the topic "Who wants to be a millionaire?" and the trio promptly came to the conclusion that money can't buy true happiness.

The competition was designed to give young people the experience of speaking on a public platform, the discipline of dealing with a topic in a limited time and the opportunity to formulate new ideas on subjects.

Head teacher Stephen Tierney, who took over the headship of the school in September from Peter McCarthy who retired in July, was delighted to be presented with his first trophy. He said: "I am immensely proud of the youngsters. They have worked hard and are a credit to themselves and their school."

Pictured l-r here are Alex, Emma and Thomas.