Pupils from schools across Basildon showed off their skills in a public speaking competition.

Hosted by the Pheonix Primary School, in Leinster Road, Year Two pupils took part in a KS1 poetry recital and Year Five’s debated whether there should be time restrictions on gaming consoles.

Julia Jones, headteacher at Barons Court Primary School, Southend, and Tim Hudson, from Manheim Ltd, were impressed with the speakers. Mandy Watson, gifted and talented leader at Phoenix Primary, said: “It’s wonderful to see the children from schools all coming together to really shine and show off their talents.” In year two, Lee Chapel School finished first, followed by Ryedene and Lincewood. And in Year Five Greenstead Junior School topped the table.