York Speakers Club has been presented with a national award by the Association of Speakers Clubs, recognising the work it has done with young people in York over the past year.

Club members have worked with many different age groups to improve their skills in speaking before an audience.

Lindsay Dutch, of the club, said “Most people are nervous about speaking in public and we help a lot of new members every year. In the last few months we have been mentoring younger people who are not in the club.

Members have helped organise competitions and training at Joseph Rowntree School and The Mount School. We worked with Rotary clubs and voluntary groups as well as a group of international students at the University of York.”

York Speakers meet at The Railway Institute, in Queen Street, York, every alternate Thursday.