STUDENTS from schools across Salisbury showcased their ideas of how they believe the city can grow – which included the proposal of a monorail.

Pupils from Leehurst Swan, St Joseph’s, South Wilts, Godolphin, Bishop Wordsworth’s and South Wilts UTC, met at the Stones Hotel and competed for the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce School’s Challenge 2019 “Our City – 2020 Vision” in association with Salisbury BID and the Journal.

Ideas ranged from heritage apps for visitors, a family fun park, an entertainment and business venue, portable storage and charging points for shoppers, and "iconic" statues that welcomed people to the city.

Judges, which included the Mayor of Salisbury Michael Osment, say they discovered a common theme in the presentations – Salisbury needs more the younger people to do!

President of Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Salisbury Chamber) Andy Rhind-Tutt, who was also a judge on the day, said: “The School's Challenge was a real tonic for all of the judges after a very difficult year.

"The ideas that were presented opened our eyes and minds to the needs of catering for the young people and visitors of Salisbury as well as giving us inspiration as we take forward plans for the city’s much needed regeneration.

"All of the ideas were great and I don't consider any of the teams as losers. As we look forward to a bright future, I hope that many of these students will become young ambassadors for our city - after all it will be theirs one day”.

The winning idea however for the Key Stage 3 competition was a team of 6 girls from South Wilts Grammar School who not only delivered the best presentation but came up with a "fantastic" initiative to create a hearing project for Salisbury.

The idea was to assist those with hearing difficulties through a city wide initiative including the installation of induction hearing loops everywhere possible. The team had established that 1 in 6 elderly are hard of hearing and this prevents people wanting to go out. But hearing impairment also affects younger people too and by helping everyone will improve people’s lives, reduce the need for translators and give people renewed confidence to go out. Salisbury could be the “first deaf friendly City in Europe” the girls added.

The Key Stage 4 winners were a team of three boys from Bishop Wordsworth Grammar School, who delivered an plan for regenerating Salisbury City including the Maltings.

There were four runners up and these teams with the two winners will get an opportunity to be reconsidered for announcement of the overall winner later in the summer at the Journal Education Awards.