A dozen brave children each trod the lonely path up to a stage podium and delivered a two-minute solo speech during the finals of Aylsham High School's public-speaking competition.

The third annual Voice of Youth in Aylsham event, hosted and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Aylsham, saw the daring dozen address a mostly-adult audience on the theme of Olympic Values.

Finalists included Molly Greenfield, granddaughter of the late Tony Greenfield, a staunch rotarian and popular raconteur, whose name has now been permanently commemorated with the renaming of the competition in his honour.

Mr Greenfield's widow Margaret attended the event and presented overall winner Lydia Whiting with the Tony Greenfield trophy.

The pupils' efforts were assessed by a trio of judges: Broadland MP Keith Simpson, Richard Latham, Aylsham rotary president, and Steve Downes, deputy community editor of the North Norfolk News.

The finalists were: Year Seven: Georgia Cleaver and Dominic Harvey; Year Eight: James Hubbard and Lydia Whiting; Year Nine: Alex Cabre and Fia Wright; Year 10 Catherine Ruff and Monty Wilson; Year 11 Molly Greenfield and Alice Gaudet.

Dominic Harvey was placed second, behind Lydia, with Victoria Ing gaining third position.

All the finalists received �25 from the rotary club. The overall winner was presented with an extra �75, with an additional �50 for the runner-up and �25 for third place.

Background music at the event was performed by pupil Kiesha Rice.