A talented teenager has won the regional final of a charity debating challenge.

Madeleine Mamak, a Year 10 student at Ursuline High School, fought off tough competition from 16 other young speakers from schools in the Merton area to win the regional final of the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge.

The 15-year-old was presented with the award by the mayor of Merton, Councillor Agatha Akyigyina, after impressing the judges with her winning speech entitled Bring Back Our Girls.

Madeleine was awarded a £100 gift certificate and will now compete for the chance to go through to the grand final due to take place on Monday, July 6 at West End’s Piccadilly Theatre.

Describing the experience, Madeleine said: "It was so incredible to be a part of something where everyone is so passionate and it really feels like what we are saying matters."

After a day of public speaking and effective communication training, hundreds of Year 10 students from seven schools in the borough took part in the Speak Out Challenge.

The runner-up was Juliana Matovu, 15, from Ricards Lodge High School with her speech called Focus and third place went to Hannah Taylor, also 15, of Ursuline High School with her speech entitled Educational Apartheid.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, March 17, Coun Akyigyina said: "It has been a real pleasure. It is fantastic to hear our young people speak.

"Thank you to the Jack Petchey Foundation for putting this on and for the schools taking part. It is a very proud moment."