A QUICK-thinking youngster played his trump card - but narrowly lost out in a national contest.

Ethan Raggett, who attends St Margaret's Primary School in Prestwich, has proved a whizz at the Top Trumps game which challenges players to pick a category that will outscore the opponent's.

Ten-year-old Ethan, of Tamworth Avenue, Whitefield, won a regional heat to make it through to the National Top Trumps Schools Tournament, held at Chessington World of Adventure in Surrey.

Facing11 rivals, Ethan competed in the Beast Quest game and finished runner-up overall.

St Margaret's teacher Sue Cleary said: "It is a wonderful achievement and Ethan won a Top Trumps goodie bag and Beast Quest resources for the school."

She added: "We were very excited to see Ethan reach the final.

"We put a team through to this competition every year and we have had one of our pupils in the final for the last three years.

"It has been an exciting few months for us since we registered.

"The children get so involved and there's a really great buzz of friendly competition.

"Beast Quest is a popular book both among our young readers and teaching staff, so we have all loved being involved as a school and playing the new Beast Quest Top Trumps."

Ethan said he enjoyed the experience of taking part in the final and had a good day out.