IT was really exciting when I found out I had reached the final of the Lancashire Police/EDS Schools Challenge.

Earlier this year I entered the competition as one of 2,000 entrants from around 22 schools.

I progressed through to the second round where there were only ten pupils left.

I beat some pupils by just a few points and became St Mary's representative to compete in the third round at Millfield.

Taking all day, the third round consisted of an interview, along with various tests - physical, mental ability, dexterity and police/EDS knowledge.

Lining up with two other boys and one girl on the night of the final, I was very nervous and shy.

Andy Mitchell from The Wave was quizmaster and my questions were quite hard.

In the end Katie Mellor from Kirkham Grammar School scored 33 and won the competition fair and square.

I came second by a whisker on 32 closely followed by the Montgomery representative on 31, with Collegiate's competitor trailing on 21.

Matthew Crocombe, year 7, St Mary's High School, Blackpool.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.