TALENTED performers from a Bournemouth school swept aside tough competition to lift the coveted national title in the Rock Challenge competition.

Students from LeAF Studio pulled out all the stops to wow the judges at the final, held in Yorkshire.

The 120-strong team was stunned to be crowned overall champions after watching performances from eight other regional winners.

They were also presented with 11 further awards.

Rock Challenge is a national competition which encourages young people to focus their energy on healthy pursuits and keep them away from drugs and alcohol.

A total of 324 secondary schools across England and Scotland entered the contest, which involves an eight-minute performance on a subject of their choice.

LeAF, part of the Ambitions Academies Trust, won the southern premier championships in Portsmouth in April before heading to Yorkshire. They also gave a demonstration at the Bournemouth Rock Challenge held at the Pavilion Theatre.

Teams are responsible for the performance in its entirety, including choreography, set design, lighting and costumes.

LeAF’s Holocaust-themed production had the audience in tears and left the performers’ friends and family stunned.

Called Through Innocent Eyes, the performance was inspired by the movie The Boy in Striped Pyjamas.

Teachers Geoff Lake and Billie Aplin worked with the students to create the piece and LeAF Principal Nadine Lapskas even drove the set truck to Rotherham for the final.

Mr Lake told the Daily Echo: “It was so exciting because it was a real community effort to get us there.

“We had to raise £10,000 for coaches and accommodation and we were delighted that more than 100 friends and supporters also made the long journey to support us.”

Mrs Lapskas praised all those involved and said stage students were supported by sports students who helped with the set.

She added: “I could not be more proud. I cried when they won and I don’t normally cry at anything.”