Andrew Ferris, Tim Hayward-Browne, Edward Ponting, Gregory Estall and Mark Garnett from St Sampson's Junior School Picture Ref: 77548-10A GROUP of youngsters has stormed ahead in a chess competition.

Three pupils at St Sampson's Junior School, in Cricklade, have won their way to the second stage of the UK Chess Challenge.

Edward Ponting and Mark Garnett, both ten, along with Andrew Ferris, nine, battled their way to the next stage in the contest, beating more than 100 other pupils from different schools across the south west.

Year 3 teacher, Kathrine Hume, took the children to the competition at Lavington School in Market Lavington.

She said: "I'm delighted how well they have done. They were so excited by their own success."

The teacher has been running an after-school chess club for two years now and 27 children attend each week.

Mrs Hume said: "Chess is so popular at our school. I think it's because the children enjoy their own individual success.

"Chess helps the children with their learning. It helps a lot with maths because of the logical, problem-solving aspect. It also helps develop their thinking skills."

The three winners will now prepare to take part in the Giga final, which will be held in July.

Tim Hayward-Browne, eight, and Gregory Estall, ten, also took part in the Mega final but did not move on to the next stage.