A group of gifted students from George Ward School in Melksham have fought off competition from nine other Wiltshire schools to win a discussion and presentation contest.

Six pupils, aged 12 and 13, teamed up with children from Combe Down School, near Bath, to perform a 15-minute presentation on a subject of their choice.

The contest, held at Matravers School in Westbury, was judged by teachers and the local chamber of commerce. Students were assessed on the knowledge displayed in their chosen field.

Students spoke on a variety of subjects including trading, employment and environmental issues. History teacher Paul Jenkins was pleased by the maturity the students showed.

He said: "What impressed me most was their ability to work well with children from another school they all took on responsibilities and worked fantastically as a team.

"The children emailed each other before they met and coordinated ideas. They researched their subjects in the library and on the Internet. One pupil even interviewed a contact in the Sudan to get some information."