PUPILS went head-to-head to debate topics of their choice during a round of 'Youth Speaks'.

Bishops Wordsworth School hosted the competition, which saw children from schools in Southampton and Warminster take part.

Organised by Salisbury Rotary Club, 'Youth Speaks' brings together teams of three pupils to prepare, introduce, propose and oppose a 15-minute debate in front of an audience and judging panel.

The pupils are then asked questions by the audience before a winner is chosen.

They are able to select a topic which is familiar to them, giving them the opportunity to carry out research, formulate ideas and build confidence.

Salisbury Journal: St Anne's School: Jan Paterson; Caitlin Dugdale; Zunaira Haneef; Hamdi Khan; Michael Bell.St Anne's School: Jan Paterson; Caitlin Dugdale; Zunaira Haneef; Hamdi Khan; Michael Bell. (Image: Rotary Club of Salisbury)

St Anne's Catholic School, in Southampton, were in the intermediate category and debated the subject 'Shakespeare: Entertainment not education'.

Zunaira Haneef chaired the debate, Caitlin Dugdale proposed it and Hamdi Khan opposed.

Senior category Warminster School pupils debated 'Is it time for the NHS to be privatised?', chaired by Oliver Corker, proposed by Samuel Milner-Smith and opposed by Henry Williams.

Salisbury Journal: Warminster School: Henry Williams; Oliver Corker; Samuel Milner-Smith; Michael BellWarminster School: Henry Williams; Oliver Corker; Samuel Milner-Smith; Michael Bell (Image: Rotary Club of Salisbury)

Michael Bell, president of the Rotary Club of Salisbury, said: "As one could imagine, the evening was highly entertaining and informative with all the students taking part being confident and very well versed in their subjects and extremely competitive with some lively debates taking part and leaving the judges with hard decisions."

After much discussion, the judging panel of Caroline Millman, Lynn Emerson and Colin Johnson announced the two teams that now progress to the District round to be held at The Mountbatten School in Romsey on Saturday, March 16.

"Salisbury Rotary would like to thank the judging panel for their diligent judging and feedback; Rotarian Steve Marriott for acting as Timekeeper; Rotarian Jan Paterson as Master of Ceremonies; Rotarian Alan Corkill for organising the whole evening and, in particular, Dr Smallwood, Head Teacher, and Sally White, at Bishop Wordsworth's School, for hosting the event," Mr Bell said.