LAST week Kelly College's public speaking team beat off stiff competition to win the English Speaking Union heats of the Public Speaking competition for Schools, held at the college.

Jonathan Cull, Daisy Waggett and Beth Barnes competed ably against Devonport High School for Boys, Eggbuckland Community College and Bodmin Community College. The Kelly team now progress to the next round, which is being held at Blundell's School, Tiverton on March 4. Daisy Waggett also won the award for the 'best chairman' in the competition.

The Public Speaking competition for Schools was started in 1960 by the English Speaking Union. It has evolved to become a highly respected national competition which provides a forum for the promotion of effective spoken English.