A 15-year-old girl from a school in New Cross has come third in a public speaking competition for young people.

Georgina Hayron from Haberdasher's Aske's Hatcham College, in Pepys Road, New Cross, took third place in the final of a youth public speaking competition.

More than 19,000 teenagers from 550 schools in London and Essex took part in the Speak Out challenge, which was organised by charities The Jack Petchey Foundation and the Speakers Trust.

Speaking before an audience of 500 people at the Mermaid Conference and Events Centre, in Blackfriars, Georgina won a trophy and a cheque for £150 for her school for her three minute speech about the importance of family life.

Georgina said: "This was a phenomenal experience. I was definitely meant to be here tonight and this has so increased my confidence in myself."