TOPICAL and controversial subjects were the order of the day at this year’s Bexley public speaking competition.

And the controversy paid off as the judges declared the contest “the best ever”.

Teams aged between 15 and 18 from six schools competed at Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School in Hurst Road, Sidcup, in front of family, friends, teachers and councillors.

This year’s winner was Beths Grammar School in Hartford Road, Bexley Village, for a speech on Facebook addiction disorder.

Runners up were Chislehurst and Sidcup on the topic of 15 minutes of fame and third was Townley Grammar School who spoke about the feminisation of the British male.

One of the judges and cabinet member for schools, Councillor Simon Windle, said: “Every year the standard is high, but this year’s teams provided the judges with and exceptional standard and a difficult choice.”

The other judges were Bexley mayor, councillor Bernard Clewes, Councillor June Slaughter cabinet member for children’s services and Carolyn Unsted (both corr) deputy direcrtor for schools and educational improvement.

The winners took home the Brian Sams cup and all the teams received medals and certificates.