A VIDEO of a youngster extolling the virtues of Purfleet-on-Thames captured the hearts of judges in a competition about the town.

Young people were invited to come up with a way of expressing "What Purfleet-On-Thames means to me" in the 'There's No Place Like Purfleet-On-Thames' competition.

Judges, Sir Tim Laurence (Chair of Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited) and Tracey Luck (Chair and Co-Founder of St Stephen's Community Trust) said their task was 'amazingly tough as there were many crdeative entries' but they have now chosen their winners.

In the Under 13 age category, the winner is seven-year-old Mustafa who filmed a captivating video telling all the reasons why he loves Purfleet-On-Thames!

In the Aged 13-18 age category, the winner was Blaize (aged 14) who was inspired by a piece of driftwood found on the river front, and used it as the backdrop for a poem.

The words of her poem were painted with a sunset background, onto the piece of driftwood!

Her poem read:

Orange, yellow and pink,

Paint the sky with its stunning colours,

Luscious green grass feel soft beneath your feet,

The slight breeze of the evening air,

Tickles up your arm to your neck,

The waves of the river crash gently against the wall,

The subtle smell of the crisp sea air drifts by,

Peace at last as you let your gaze wonder over the magnificent scenery around you,

Oh what a beautiful place to be,

Purfleet-on-Thames.