Pupils from Years 5-10 of Abbey Gate College scooped a large number of accolades at the Shropshire Festival of Verse and Prose.

The festival was held at Moreton Hall School, Oswestry and saw youngsters James Ayshford, Oscar Patten, Kieren Platts and Toby Stanford from Year 10 showing considerable ability in their events.

Oscar won his reading class as well as the duologue competition with Toby. James won his solo drama class and came third in the duologue with Kieren.

The college boasts a number of talented performers in the lower school too, with Hannah Gardner from Year 6 winning her solo drama class and Jessica Hindley of Year 5 coming third.

Jessica achieved success by winning her reading class, as did Year 6 pupil Morgan Cox, while Fia McDonnell finished a creditable third.

Zoe McDonnell and Gabby Parker were awarded first place in the mime duologue, just beating Morgan Cox and Claudia Royle into second.

The successes continued as Heather Churchill-Evans and Charlotte Gardner won the acting duologue with Zoe McDonnell and Gabby Parker, and Annabelle Astley and Grace Patton tied for second place.

Joe Brazier also had an excellent day with two first place and two second- placed finishes. Joe triumphed in the prepared reading class and reading at sight. He was awarded second place in solo drama and was narrowly pipped to the post in the Cranmer Award area heat.

This is a national competition with contestants required to read from The Book of Common Prayer . The finals are held in London next year and Joe is determined to give it another go in 12 months time.

Other pupils gaining merit and commended certificates were Lucia Martin, Imogen Edwards, Jemima Mullock, Freya Rains, Georgie Reeves, Isabel Reid, Claudia Smith and Francesca Ward.