HARRY Potter fan Ameerah Saleem is a real wizard when it comes to her spoken language skills.

The nine-year-old from Wilmslow Preparatory School has won a top award from the English Speaking Board (International) Ltd.

Ameerah, from Wilmslow, is one of only nine students from around the country to receive ESB’s highest commendation of Young Speaker of the Year.

Each year the awards recognise the outstanding spoken language skills of the very best that assessors see from candidates who are sitting ESB communication assessments.

The nine winners were selected from 15,000 youngsters who took ESB speech assessments in 2016/17.

When Ameerah took her ESB assessment her assessor said she used ‘natural communication skills’ in her talk on her prized possession - her ‘Harry Potter Box’.

Ameerah was presented with her trophy and certificate at an awards ceremony held at The Crowne Plaza Hotel on the waterfront in Liverpool.

She also performed her award-winning performance to an audience of family, friends and teachers.

A delighted Ameerah said after the ceremony: “I'm so amazed to have been awarded ESB Young Speaker of the Year 2017, and I really enjoyed performing my talk at the ceremony in Liverpool.

“It was lovely to have my family, teacher and headmistress there to support me. I'm looking forward to next year's ESB assessments already!”

Ameerah’s mum Jenny said: “We are so happy for Ameerah - it was truly fantastic to see her perform her talk and receive the award.

“I'm sure that Ameerah will cherish the award for many years to come.”

The award ceremony was attended by Wilmslow Preparatory School headteacher Helen Rigby and Alexandra Shaw, the school’s speech and drama co-ordinator.

“Mrs Jude Hughes, the KS2 speech and drama teacher, and everyone at the school, are incredibly proud of Ameerah for being awarded a Young Speaker of the Year Award by the English Speaking Board in recognition of the high standard of her work,” said Mrs Rigby.

“Our pupils work extremely hard with all aspects of their speech and drama, and the English Speaking Board assessments are a highlight of the year.

“Miss Shaw and I were delighted to be able to attend this special event and to celebrate this achievement with the family.”

ESB chief executive Tina Renshaw said: “The standard from all candidates put forward for this accolade was very high, so Ameerah did extremely well to be selected as overall winner.”