THREE pupils from a Blackburn high school have talked their way to a trophy.

Victoria Murray, Emmeline Smith and Kathryn Bell, all 15, from Westholme High School, scooped the top prize at the Rotary Club of Blackburn's 21st School Public Speaking Contest.

The trio gave a talk entitled 'A Tolerating Society' for the competition, which was held at the County Hotel, Blackburn and attended by more than 50 parents and guests.

Teams from Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, St Wilfrid's CE and Witton Park high schools also competed. Queen Elizabeth's pupil Alexanda George, 15, won the best overall speaker trophy for his talk called 'We've Never Had It So Good.'

Awards and certificates were presented by Rotary president Fred Milligan and hotel manager Gary Mills.

The winning Westholme speaking team are pictured (from left) Victoria Murray, Emmeline Smith and Kathryn Bell, with their teacher David Johnson, Rotary Club president Fred Milligan and hotel manager Gary Mills.