A CANVEY pupil has won a top public speaking competition and could go on and represent his school at a national final.

Alfie Stewart, a Year 10 pupil at Castle View School, saw off rivals from 14 other schools across Castle Point and Thurrock to be named winner of the Jack Petchey Speak Out Regional Final.

Alfie won an iPod at the competition, held at the Chafford Hundred School in Grays last week.

The contest is run in Essex and London with most of the regional winners going on to a grand final in July.

If he is successful at the national final he could win a £2,000 prize as well as £3,000 for the school.

Alfie said: “The competition was immense but I had phenomenal support. I was pleased with my performance when I came off stage.

“When they announced me as the winner I was completely speechless and, of course, delighted.”

Alfie’s road to success began with a one-day public speaking workshop, where students learn about the importance of delivery, structure and content.

The best pupils then delivered a prepared speech in a special assembly before one was chosen to compete.

Teacher Kelly Regan said: “The night was extraordinary, the X Factor moment at the end was so exciting and tense.

“Alfie thoroughly deserved to win; he prepared, planned and practised the speech entirely on his own.

“He is the most talented writer and speaker I have ever met.”