A TEEN orator is on track to represent Essex and his college in a nationwide public speaking competition after winning a regional final.

Gareth Moriarty,14, from Colchester took part in the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge – a programme to build confidence amongst young people from Essex and London.

The smooth-talker from St Benedict’s Catholic College presented his winning speech to judges at the regional finals against 17 other school speakers gaining him a trophy and £100 Amazon voucher.

For winning his heat, he will also present the east Essex regional final round next year.

Second place went to Megan Knight, from Clacton Coastal Academy, and Mia Singleton, from St Helena School.

Gareth’s three-minute speech titled First World Rant was delivered at the school in front of a crowd of more than 300 supporters, family and friends.

It was the first time the school had secured first place in a regional final.

If the judges select Gareth to be part of the elite 15, he will later compete at the grand final at London’s Piccadilly Theatre on July 4.

There he will be judged by eight celebrity judges including BBC presenter Andy Akinwolere, BBC Radio 1 controller, Ben Cooper, and Sarah Sands, editor of the Evening Standard newspaper.

As well as being named master orator, he will compete for a grand cash prize of £5,000, of which £3,000 goes to the winner’s school.

Gareth said: “It would be amazing to win the national final but I’m not expecting it to happen. If it does, I’d be really surprised.

“The inspiration for my speech came from everyday life and what people talk about at school.

"It began in the style of a rant and then I turned it on its head by saying we shouldn’t be complaining about these first world problems.

“To prepare we had a few workshop sessions with Jack Petchey, who gave advice on our delivery and afterwards we had rehearsals with our head of English.

“I was the last person to speak so I was quite nervous beforehand but once I went out on stage, that went away.”

The Speak Out Challenge is run by Speakers Trust and funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation to teach young people how to express themselves clearly and without fear.

The registered charity works in partnership with social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations such as community groups, prisons and schools.

Businessman Sir Jack Petchey CBE, who left school at 14 with no qualifications, launched the foundation as a way to inspire young people and raise their aspirations.