WORDS were the order of the day for pupils who took part in Trinity Catholic High School's sonnet writing competition.

Youngsters at the Woodford Green put pen to verse and came up with some gems.

Their efforts were praised by the school's assistant head of English John Crompton.

He said: The response to the students to the sonnet competition was impressive and enthusiastic. Teachers were delighted to discover groups of students huddled in corriders searching for that final elusive syllable.

But all of us were inspired by the author of the sonnet, William Shakespeare. I trust he would recognise the talent of these young people, but forgive some of the liberties that have been taken with the sonnet tradition.

Mr Compton added: The poems themselves range across the themes of love, marriage, nature, parents and loss. The poems about the events of September 11 are especially poignant.

Winners are: Hannah Robinson (year 13); Zahra K Mirza (year 12); Matteo Lorenzi (year 11); Tom Colyer (year 10); Eleanor Rebello (year nine); Rafael Oelmann Perez (year eight); Reis Reffold (year seven).

Runners up: Emma Teal, Yvonne Kramo (year 13); Lilly Tang, Elizabeth McLay (year 12); Lee Cook, Lucy Wheeler (year 11); Genevieve Bach, Paula-Ann Bailey (year 10); Lucy Freeman, Kate Doran (year nine); Laura Dignon, Racheal Maguire (year eight); Aisling McHugh, Thomas Cullinan (year seven).