A Chelmsford County High School pupil has scooped the top prize in the Chelmsford and Basildon Regional Final of Jack Petchey's Speak Out Challenge. 

Rida Ahmed impressed the judges with her winning speech “Cultural Difference” fighting off stiff competition from 16 other young speakers from schools in the Chelmsford and Basildon area.

She said, “Ecstatic. I worked so hard. I'm very happy.

After just one day of public speaking and effective communication training, 517 year 10 students aged 14-15, from 15 schools in Basildon & Chelmsford took part in the “Speak Out” competition.

Rida won a £100 Gift Certificate for coming first and a chance to go through to the Grand Final of the “Speak Out” Challenge! due to take place on July 6th 2015 at West End’s Piccadilly Theatre.

Councillor Robert Villa, Mayor of Chelmsford presented the awards.

He said; "It's very exciting and I am in full admiration for the talent of all of the speakers.

"I was really impressed by the confidence of their delivery.”

The judging panel at the event included Cllr Paul Hutchinson – (Springfield North Ward), Adam Eckley – (Deputy Chief Fire Officer (Essex County), Sandra Hillier – (Ex-Head Teacher (Essex), Nikki Casey – (Jack Petchey Foundation) Martin Powers – (Interventions Manager, Essex Probation), Chloe Wing – (“Speak Out” Runner-Up 2014)

Second place went to Krishan Javad, 15 from The Bromfords School with his speech “The Eternal Enigma” and third place went to Charlie Warburton, 14 from the The Bromfords School with his speech titled "My Hero- Damien Hirst"

Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge! is the biggest public speaking event of its kind in the world. Now in its ninth year, over 18,000 year 10 students are expected to compete for over £15,000 worth of prizes in this year’s final.