BOYS demonstrated their eloquence when they took the honours in a public speaking contest.

St Mary’s School in Colchestre hosted the English Speaking Union competition for students in Years 9 to 11.

There were 24 participants and two teams from four schools took part.

Colchester Royal Grammar School’s Team A featuring Yuvi Vithian, Zachary Cliff, Elliott Loukin won with Colchester County High School for Girls’ Team B as runners-up. Their team was made up of Twinkle Agrawal, Joanna Rawlings and Joielle Alfhaily.

Both teams will progress to the next heat at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, on February 5.

Prizes were awarded to Yuvi Vithian as best chairman, Laura Ferneyhough from St Mary’s School as best questioner and Evie Press from Colchester County High School for Girls as the best speaker.

The evening’s event was organized by James Scruby, vice chairman of the Colchester and North Essex branch of the English-Speaking Union.

The charity, which runs various educational programmes, is celebrating its centenary this year.