Two budding reporters won places in the top ten of a national competition.

Georgia Duncon-Whytock, 11, and Ambreen Arshad, 11, both of Merryhills Primary School, will have the chance  to report on a human rights topic of their choice for Amnesty International’s Youth Awards.

Their work will be judged by a panel of judges including a previous winner, a reporter from Press Association, and members of Amnesty’s press team.  

Georgia said: “I'm gobsmacked. I knew my work was good and I was proud of it but I had no idea that I'd get into the top ten.”

Chloe Clifford, Georgia and Ambreen’s literacy teacher at Merryhills Primary School, said: “I am incredibly proud of how hard Georgia and Ambreen, and the others who entered, worked on these pieces.

“Their compassion, caring and understanding of global issues shows maturity beyond their years. As a values-based school, we prize emotional and social learning and understanding very highly. This competition was brilliant for extending these values into writing.”

Ambreen was inspired by a piece called The Life of a Child Beggar.

She said: “I'm surprised because my writing was in a different style to many previous entrants.

“This issue means a lot to me as I've witnessed it and feel passionate about making people aware of it so it can be prevented in the future.”