STUDENTS aged 11 and 12 from Welwyn Hatfield are taking part in The Times Spelling Bee 2011.

Heats started this week and 1,200 schools across the UK are competing for the chance to reach the grand final at the O2 Arena in June.

Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School and Queenswood School in Brookmans Park are both taking part.

The aim of the championship is to make spelling fun, help teachers raise the profile of spelling and develop the talents of their students.