A Norfolk school has talked its way into a national final after its young debaters won the day on issues ranging from footballers wages to drugs development.

A Norfolk school has talked its way into a national final after its young debaters won the day on issues ranging from footballers wages to drugs development.

A team from Gresham's School at Holt will now join another seven in a gruelling three-day national final in July.

It is the first time the school has entered the Debating Matters competition, and they beat opposition including twice national winners Queens School from Hertfordshire in the regional final.

Four of the school's sixth formers - Will Ellis, Olivia Purdy, Rhodri Oliver and Rupert Cabbell Manners - tackled the subjects of “premiership footballers deserve all the rewards they get” and “excessive bureaucracy and caution are keeping drugs from patients who need them” before their final subject of “globalisation is good for the developing world” won them their chance of national glory.

Two of the Gresham's team also won individual awards, with Rhodri Oliver 'highly commended' and Olivia Purdy, given an 'honourable mention' for her lively contributions.

The success so far earns the school £1,000 worth of book a resources vouchers for its library, while the members get a year's subscription to the on-line Encyclopaedia Britannica, five hours worth of free phone call credit and a t-shirt.

Headmaster Antony Clark said : “We are immensely proud of the achievement of these young people. The sorts of skills that have secured this win - thinking on their feet, structuring an argument, listening - are important life skills what will shape their future success.”