NOT lost for words — that is a team from Bury Grammar School for Girls which will take part in the final of a national speaking contest next month.

Called The Cynics, the squad earned its place after winning the senior section regional final of the Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Youth Speaks competition. Also taking part in the event at Glyndwr University in Wrexham was another team from the same school, called the Swans.

Following a humorous and thought-provoking perspective of the Father Christmas myth, The Cynics triumphed and qualified for the competition’s national final in Maidstone on May 10.

Earlier, both Grammar School squads had fought off stiff competition from other Bury schools in the local zone final held at Bury Town Hall and triumphed again in the district final.

A spokesman for the Rotary Club of Bury, which sponsored all the schools competing from the town, said: “As far as I am aware, this is the first time that two teams from the same school have reached the district final, let alone the regional final, and then for one of the teams to go on and win is an exceptional achievement. Both teams should be congratulated”.