AN all girl’s school in Colchester have been put through to the semi final of a spelling bee.

Colchester County High have beaten more than 1,000 schools entered in the competition and will now compete against the best wordsmiths in the country.

The spelling bee, which was set up by The Times newspaper, will hold its semi finals in Cineworld cinemas across the country.

The Colchester contestants will travel to Cambridge to battle for their place in the grand final on Thursday, May 17.

Previous heats were held online with students having to spell words such as ecclesiastical, ventriloquist and kamikaze.

A grand final event will take place between ten schools at the Institute of Education in London on Thursday, June 21.

For more information visit www.timesspellingbee.co.uk