TALENTED young public speakers are celebrating after winning Liverpool Law Society’s annual competition.

School pupils aged 13 to 15 battled it out at Liverpool Town Hall last week.

They presented speeches on the subject “16 is too young to vote at a general election” to the judging panel.

Victoria Atherton and Olivia Beesley, both 15, were crowned winners.

The girls, from Archbishop Blanch High School, saw off competition from Liverpool College, Calday Grange Grammar School and the Belvedere Academy.

David Lewis, managing partner of Weightmans’ Liverpool office and a member of the judging panel, said: “This was Weightmans’ third year of sponsorship of this event and my third year as a member of the judging panel.

“Just as in previous years, the standard reached by all of the students was hugely impressive.

“They and their schools should feel tremendously proud of their achievements, with particular praise reserved for the team from Archbishop Blanch for rising to the top of the class on the night.”

Liverpool Law Society president Richard Paton and BBC Radio Merseyside broadcaster Roger Phillips were also judges.

The event, which took place last Monday evening, was also attended by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Mike Storey, and past presidents of Liverpool Law Society.