STUDENTS from a north Cotswolds school are to represent the Midlands in the national final of the English Speaking Union national debating competition.

As reported in last week's Journal, three students from the Cotswold School, Bourton - Alana Powell, 16, James Ager, 15, and Seb French, 15 - beat off stiff competition from six other schools to win the Gloucestershire heat and compete in the Midlands final at Colwall Village Hall near Malvern last Saturday.

Head teacher Ann Holland, who went to Colwall to support her students, was delighted when the team walked away with the trophy and the right to represent the Midlands in the national final in London on April 26.

James won the best speaker prize with his talk on the importance of Shakespeare in schools and Alana was named best chairman.

"It was stunning. They were absolutely fantastic and I'm so proud of them," said Mrs Holland.

If they triumph in the national final the trio will be invited to Buckingham Palace to meet ESU president Prince Philip