A TEENAGER scooped the top prize in a competition, fighting off stiff competition.

Lily-Peg Burge, 15, of Clacton County High School, was named the east Essex winner of the Jack Petchey Speak Out competition.

The round was held at Colchester’s Philip Morant School and College, in Rembrandt Way.

Lily-Peg impressed the judges with her winning speech about “how it used to be”.

She said: “There are no words to describe how I feel at this moment. I know I have achieved something amazing and something very worthwhile. I am so thrilled.”

By beating the 17 other youngsters in the round, she won a £100 gift certificate and a chance to go through to the grand final of the challenge, due to take place in July at the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre.

John Elliott, Mayor of Colchester, who presented the awards, said: ”The atmosphere, the support and most importantly the speakers were a joy to behold.

“It was wonderful to witness and hear such an array of poignant, well delivered speeches. A truly remarkable event. My only hope is that all the speakers keep going on this journey.”

The competition saw the 675 year 10 students from 18 schools in east Essex take part in one day of public speaking training before being put forward for the challenge.

The judging panel included Alison Andreas, principal of Colchester Institute, Flight Lieutenant Jean Robinson, Officer Commanding 308 (Colchester) Sqn, and David King, chairman of The Headgate Theatre, Colchester.

Second place went to EmilyCarman, 15 from Harwich and Dovercourt High School with her speech “define strength” and third place went to Elizabeth Diamond, 14, from Manningtree High School with her speech “forget the stars, train a pigeon”.

Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge! is the biggest public speaking event of its kind.

Now in its ninth year, more than 18,000 year 10 students are expected to compete for over £15,000 worth of prizes in this year’s final.