A schoolboy followed in the footsteps of Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King Jr to win a public speaking competition.

Ben Jones, a pupil at Heartland School, scooped top prize at the Haringey Regional Final of Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out” Challenge 2013-14.

He channelled the charisma and power of great orators to win the event at Park View school, in Philip Lane, Tottenham, on February 5.

The 14-year-old fought off competition from 13 other teenagers from around the borough, impressing judges with his speech Problems with Music.

Ben’s Dad, David Jones said: “I feel proud of my son and all the students who spoke tonight.”

Nine schools in Haringey took part in the Young Speakers competition, which involved more than 305 Year 10 students, who all received a full day of training in public speaking and effective communication.

The teenager won a £100 gift certificate for coming first and a chance to go through to the national final of the competition on July 14, 2014.

Councillor Sheila Peacock, Mayor of Haringey, presented the awards. She said: “These young people need to show our councillors how to speak."

Second place went to Victoria Nakyejwe from Park View school, with her speech Money, and third place went to Buana Da Silva from St Thomas More School with her speech Forgiveness.