Students from Cambridge House Grammar School in Ballymena and Larne Grammar School won top honours in a pitch challenge organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The event tasked post-primary school teams with proposing solutions to increase activity in local town centres.

Four schools participated: Slemish College, Ballymena Academy, Cambridge House Grammar School and Larne Grammar School. Teams of up to six students pitched ideas judged on creativity, impact, feasibility and presentation by a council panel.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, presented awards to winners including Grace, Maisy and Emma from Cambridge House Grammar School for their idea Strike City. He also recognised Jack and Dylan from the same school for Ballymena Alive.

James, Gabriel, Tyler, Adam and Jonny from Larne Grammar School received awards for Better Space, presented alongside two mentors.

Student proposals covered night markets, cultural festivals, outdoor cinema events, themed experiences, indoor global food markets, activity hubs, a rewards app for local shopping and rotating display pods for artists and entrepreneurs.

Councillor Jackson Minford praised the students' imagination and confidence in addressing town centre decline. He noted their innovative ideas showed passion for making towns more vibrant.

The council's Town Centre Team ran the Dragon's Den-style event to build entrepreneurial skills and encourage students to contribute to sustainable communities.