Primary school children from the Devizes area showed their public speaking skills on Friday night when eight teams lined up for the Rotary Club’s Youth Speaks competition.

Nursteed Community Primary School took the title at the competition in the school’s hall, bringing the famous gavel trophy home for the next 12 months. The four young speakers made a plea to aid those living in poverty in Africa; another Nurs-teed team spoke well on the subject of endangered animals.

Teams from St Joseph’s RC Primary asked whether animals should be allowed in schools; and about their after-school club. Teams from All Cannings Prim-ary spoke about the liner RMS Titanic; and compared the value of the works of William Shakes-peare and JK Rowling.

Wansdyke Primary’s teams compared the qualities of boys and girls; and underlined the importance of water conservation.