When it comes to talking, three students from St Helen and St Katharine School in Abingdon are the talk of the town.

Upper sixth formers Lucy Evans, Jessica Liddle and Kate Shouesmith, all 18, are the champions of Rotary International's youth speaking contest.

They beat nine regional finalists from all over Britain and Ireland to take the trophy at Salford University.

Both Lucy and Jessica have entered the competition four times before but it was Kate's first outing.

After leaving school this summer, Kate will be reading PPE at Oxford University. Lucy has a place at Cambridge to study drama and English, while Jessica plans to take a year out.

Their subject about the benefits of argument and debate a healthy pastime impressed the judges who praised the students for their poise and confidence.

Deborah Smith, the teacher who runs the school debating society, said: "Lucy and Jessica have reached the finals four times in a row so to win the competition at the final attempt was an extra bonus. They have worked hard at their speaking skills and fully deserved to take the title."

Each year hundreds of young people take part in teams of three in Club and Rotary speaking competitions that culminate in the regional heats and the final. Each speaker delivers a short address on a topic of their choice.