NUCLEAR power and the influence of social media were winning topics in a Youth Speaks competition run by Newton Abbot’s Rotary Club.

Teign School, Kingsteignton, took the honours in the senior element of the contest at Newton Abbot’s Courtenay Centre, while Coombeshead Academy, Newton Abbot, won the intermediate section.

Other competitors were from Stover School, near Newton Abbot, and Newton Abbot College.

The same battle of wits was held last year in the town for the first time with only two teams taking part.

Organisers were delighted that the four main secondary schools in the area took part in the 2015 contest.

The aim of the exercise was to support the development of ‘effective communication skills by young people and to give them confidence in public speaking.’

Coombeshead’s winning team – comprising a speaker, chairman and proposer of the vote of thanks – waxed eloquent on the power of social media.

Nuclear power was the explosive subject which won the day for the scholars from Teign School.

Jacky Bennett, for the organisers, said: ‘We were all impressed with the very high standard and professionalism of the teams.

‘The event went very well. The participants all answered the questions put to them magnificently.’