The King Henry VIII Intermediate debating team proved triumphant in the Rotary Regional Level Youth Speaks Competition and will now represent Southern Wales in the UK Final.

The final will be held during the Rotary International in Britain and Ireland Conference in Nottingham in May.

Chair Lucy Jones, Speaker Alice Neville and giver of Vote of thanks Bethan Parry-Jones competed at North Leamington School, Royal Leamington Spa on Saturday against teams from Birmingham, Bristol and Stoke on Trent. Judges reported that year on year, the already high standard steadily improved.

"I am thrilled that the team has got so far," said headteacher Elspeth Lewis, "they have worked and trained hard, and deserve this. I know they will act on the advice given and further improve so they are ready for the finals. I am sure they will be hard to beat as their dedication to this competition and teamwork has been incredible. They are a credit to their parents, their teachers, the school and Abergavenny."

â?¢ Pictured are Nick Ramsay AM, Alice Neville, Speaker, Lucy James, Chairperson, Bethan Parry-Jones, Vote of Thanks, Councillor Teslin Davies, Mayor of Abergavenny and Ruth Coulthard of Abergavenny Civic Society, judges.