A student from Lowestoft has triumphed in a national competition – after getting the winning verdict in a legal reporting contest.

Shalaina Hawes, a Year 9 student at East Point Academy, beat competitors from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the Citizenship Foundation's Court reporter competition for 2018.

She was inspired to enter after playing a vital role in East Point's team in the Ipswich Magistrates' Court mock trial that was held earlier this year, where students learned about democracy by taking on roles in a fictional court case.

Entries for the writing contest were marked on their style, structure, use of language, accuracy and length.

The judges told Shalaina: 'This is a very impressive report. Your writing style is well-developed and you have paid sharp attention to detail, including correct use of grammar and punctuation.'

Mary-Jane King, literacy co-ordinator at East Point Academy on Kirkley Run, added: 'This is a fantastic achievement. Shalaina has been driven to succeed and was supportive of her peers throughout the competition.'

After finishing first in the national competition, Shalaina was presented with her award by magistrate Mike Cadman in a school assembly on July 10.

Shalaina said: 'I enjoyed the whole experience, and I'm overwhelmed that I won.'