In an impressive showcase of young talent, students from Glastonbury's St Dunstan's School took top honours at the Youth Speaks competition, hosted by the Shepton Mallet Rotary Club at St Dunstan's.

A team of articulate Year 7 and Year 8 students from the school clinched the coveted silver trophy, triumphing with their insightful perspectives.

The school fielded three teams, engaging in lively debates on the internet's impact, the value of nurses compared to footballers, and the classic debate of cats versus dogs, showcasing their analytical and debating skills.

Competing against strong teams from Ansford Academy, the St Dunstan's winning team stood out with their compelling argument on the internet's significant influence in modern society. The event was notably co-hosted by a poised year seven student from Glastonbury, who confidently welcomed the audience and played a key role in the evening's success, demonstrating the students' impressive organisational and public speaking abilities.

The Youth Speaks competition aims to provide young people with valuable experience in public speaking and teamwork. With five teams participating, the event fostered a spirit of competition and camaraderie among the students. The winners and runners-up now look forward to competing in the District Semi-finals, which will be held in Frome on Tuesday, 20 February.