BLESSED Edward Oldcorne Catholic College students were narrowly defeated after reaching the regional finals of a mock trial competition.

The youngsters were the winners of heats held in March, with Evesham High School coming runners-up.

Both schools competed in the Citizen Foundation and Magistrates Association competition, which was held at Northampton Magistrates Court in May, but were beaten by the overall regional winners from Wood Green School in Oxfordshire.

Teacher at Blessed Edward's, Charlotte Blackshaw, said: "The students have worked so hard over the last few months and enjoyed the competition."

Gill Brookes, the assistant head teacher at the Evesham school said: "It helped in team-building, law studies and drama.

''You go in wanting to win, but whether you win or lose, it's character-building and you do your best to learn."

Both had to prepare cases to prosecute and defend with the help of legal professionals, and visited Worcester Magistrates Court so that they could practise in an authentic setting.