PUPILS of a Blackburn speech and drama school have been successful in examinations.

The students of Shirley Watson's Speakability classes passed exams run by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Five pupils gained High Honours in the exams.

Shirley said: "They are great achievements as most were attained in grades six or seven, which are difficult examinations."

Speakability is now running classes at the Blackburn Dance and Performance Arts Centre.

Shirley teaches people of all ages speech and drama skills and has recently started helping more adults who have problems with speech, self-presentation or self-confidence.

She said: "One of my oldest pupils was an 80-year-old gentleman wanting to give a speech at his golden wedding celebrations.

"Age is no barrier and I find my work to be extremely rewarding." Grade One character study: Katie Nixon, merit; grade two character study: Adam Faeries, pass.

Grade Two prose reading: Helen Andrews, hons, Rebecca Jackson, merit, Emma Haymes, hons.

Grade Two verse speaking: Helen Andrews, hons, Rebecca Jackson, merit, Emma Haymes, hons, Lucy Hutchinson, pass, Jessica Avison, hons, Charlotte Tindall, merit; Grade Two speech and drama: Carly Walsh, merit, Lindsey Towers, merit, Joanne Halsall, pass, Grace Tatlow, pass, Rebekah Tatlow, pass, Neda G'Esghi, merit, Jemma Bagheri, pass, Amy Greaves, merit.

Grade Three verse speaking: Philip Gardner, pass, Mohammed Bhikha, merit, Peter Hodgkinson, hons, Megan Thompson, hons, Karina Jadhov, hons, Rebecca Avison, hons, Hannah Whittaker, high hons, Louise Ellison, high hons.

Grade Four verse speaking: Claire Haymes, merit, Samantha Bell, hons, Elizabeth Gardner, hons.

Grade Six speech and drama: Leon Worden, merit, Shafika Bhikha, merit, Atiyya Bhikha, merit, Mandeep Singh, hons, Aqeela Bhikha, high hons, Shamira Bhikha, high hons.

Grade Seven speech and drama: Gemma Stirrup, high hons.

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