WILMSLOW High School students got justice at Manchester Crown Court when they won the verdict they deserved.

The budding barristers argued their way to a place in the final of a nationwide schools competition to find the best team of young lawyers.

Showing off their cross-examining skills, the all girl team defeated the North West's top schools in a virtual courtroom battle.

They are now preparing to take on fifteen other regional winners in the national final at the Old Bailey next year.

Head Teacher Roy Lyons said: "This is proving a really unique, valuable and exciting experience for all those involved."

The promising group of teenagers have spent the last four months practising for the regional heat of The Bar Association's National Mock Trial Competition.

The girls, all aged 17, acted as prosecution and defence in four mock trials, winning the final against Clitheroe Royal Grammar School after six pressure-filled hours of argument.

Teacher, Andrew Gibbs, will be taking them to the capital when they go head to head with 15 finalists from the British Isles.

He said: "Our students rose to the occasion through hard work and relentless practise.

"They competed against independent and grammar schools and won through. We have every confidence in their ability and determination to do well in the national finals."

Local barrister Lucy Leeming and Robin Vincent, court management consultant to the United Nations, have given the students expert advice in the run up to the North West final.

Robin said: "I welcome this experience, not only as providing a better understanding of the judicial process, but as offering these young people a window into a worthwhile career."

But after first-hand experience of the courtroom, student Karen Tonks is re-thinking her ambition to become a barrister.

She said: "It was such a difficult day. There was so much pressure and the judge was really strict.

"He told one of us off for not sitting up straight. But the excitement at the end made up for it.

"We all screamed when we heard the result which I suppose is not the way you should behave in the court room."