Young chatterbox Luke Adams astounded his classmates when he completed a sponsored silence challenge.

The ordeal was doubly difficult for Luke as he is hyperactive and finds it tricky to keep quiet.

His dad, Tony, revealed he was gobsmacked when the nine-year-old, from Branksome Road, Southend, managed to avoid speaking for an entire morning.

Tony said: "He didn't utter a word between the morning and lunchtime bells at school."

"We see the funny side of his lively behaviour, but this was a big deal for him. He just came home one day and announced he wanted to do it. We're very proud he succeeded."

Luke said: "It was difficult and I kept looking at the clock - but I did it! I surprised myself a bit."

Luke raised £150 for the Special Baby Care Unit at Southend Hospital.

Derek Groom, head of Hamstel Junior School in Hamstel Road, Southend, said: "Luke did really well. He's very likeable - a bit of a livewire."

Cashing in on silence - hyperactive Luke

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.