Alex in Year 11 came out on top after a gruelling series of increasingly difficult rounds which tested the competitors' ability to define unusual or obscure words.

His triumph came despite sterling efforts by students from Gordano, Churchill, Backwell and Chew Valley, while Bethan, Year 10 at Gordano was placed third. A Chew Valley student took second place.

Bethan's achievement was all the more remarkable as she was a last-minute replacement for another student who'd been unable to attend.

There were also strong performances from the other members of the Gordano team, Year 11 student Curtis and Rowan in Year 9.

This was the first of a series of inter-school challenges organised by the English faculties of the LSP secondary schools, and the next contest will be an old-fashioned spelling bee. Initial heats to find a team of the best spellers from each school will be taking place in English lessons this term and next.

Thanks to Churchill Academy's English faculty for hosting the Vocabulary Final, and to Mr Turner, Miss Boddy and Miss Davies for accompanying the Gordano team.