A Harrow student is celebrating after winning a public speaking competition.

Owen Hurcum, 15, from Whitmore High School, in Porlock Avenue, won the Harrow Regional Final of Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge 2012-13.

The competition was held at Bentley Wood School, in Bridges Road, Stanmore, on December 6.

Owen’s winning speech, which was entitled ‘Oh Brother where art thou’, saw him beat 13 other young speakers.

He won an iPod Touch and a place in the Grand Final on July 1, 2013.

He said: “I am shocked really, considering I only realised when the competition was an hour before because of a mix up. I just came and was myself and it worked.”

Owen’s mother, Lisa Hurcum, said: "It’s been a great experience, we didn’t know what to expect, but it was a fun night and now even better.”

Nine Harrow schools took part in the local part of the competition which involved 300 Year 10 students.

All of the competitors received a day of training in public speaking and effective communication.

Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge is the biggest public speaking event of its kind in the world.