A YOUNGSTER beat off competition from thousands of schoolchildren to make it through to the finals of a public speaking contest.

Josh Ferris, 15, a pupil at Canvey's Castle View School is in the running for a £5,000 prize after being chosen to represent Thurrock and Castle Point in the Speak Out Challenge.

A gruelling selection process saw speakers whittled down from about 18,000 to just 15 finalists, after events were held in schools across London and Essex.

The winner will bag £2,000 towards their education and £3,000 for their school.

Josh, who impressed judges with a moving speech about the importance of grandparents, said he is excited to take part in the final, which will take place at the Piccadilly Theatre, in London's West End, on Monday, July 4.

He added: “I am still shocked by it all to be honest, and can’t quite believe it.

“The speech I made to make it through to the final was been about nans, and how important they are. With each round I went through I changed it a little bit, but the meaning was basically the same.

“I’ve had fantastic support from my friends and family, and I couldn’t have done it without them. They have given me the confidence to go out there and to just be myself.”

The competition, run by the Jack Petchey Foundation, was set up to help youngsters develop the skills, confidence and desire to speak in public.

As part of the challenge, trainers visit schools across Essex and London to run workshops for Year 10 pupils.

Proud mum Kate Ferris, 38, of Ferrymede, Canvey, said her son Josh is a "natural" at public speaking.

She said: “Josh is really very busy, he’s a young leader with the scouts, he’s doing his Duke of Edinburgh awards and plays a lot of sport at school too.

“He started getting involved with public speaking at school, he’s a real natural and has just got through he each stage so well. Judges watched a final of his speech in the regional event, and picked him for the final. We are so proud of him.

“Without giving too much away, he’s made a few changes to his speech and it’s very moving.”

A spokesman for Castle View School said: “It's an amazing achievement both for him and for Castle View School and we are very proud of him indeed for his hard work and dedication.”