SHAWLANDS Academy pupils were crowned winners of the Glasgow Schools Public Speaking Competition.

They beat off competition from Rosshall Academy, John Paul Academy and Kings Park Secondary School by arguing the topic: "There would be no hate crime in Scotland if..."

Shawlands Academy will now go on to the West of Scotland final where they will face winners of other competitions in the West of Scotland.

Jennifer Harrower, Procurator Fiscal, Homicides & Serious Crime, said: "I am delighted with the high standard of competition this year which is now the fourth year of the competition.

"The competition, organised and run by Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, is now an annual event across Scotland.

"The competition continues to encourage pupils to address equality issues that directly affect them and other young people.

"It provides a forum for pupils from different schools to share their experiences, history and views and encourages them to gain in confidence as public speakers.

"Shawlands Academy may have been the winners on the night but all of the pupils and teachers can be proud of their school's achievements."

Organised by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the contest began in 2012 and is now an annual event.

Its major aim has been to continue to encourage young people from across the city of Glasgow, and in particular, schools which have not had a tradition of competing in public speaking to enter the start of their public speaking careers.

Since its inception, and throughout the competition, the subject matter of the speeches has been designed to prompt discussion and debate about diversity and equality issues affecting the children of Glasgow.

The competition involved a number of Glasgow schools over a number of weeks and is part of our reach out to communities of Glasgow to engage them in discussion and debate on important issues such as diversity and equality.