Students from Havant College in New Road, Havant, performed a dance based on teenagers vandalising a graveyard only to awaken the spirits of the dead.

Pupils from St Luke's Secondary School in Hyde Park Road, Southsea, focused on the NHS and its vital role in day-to-day life.

St Luke's walked away with awards for the best stage crew and concept originality while Havant College won prizes for costume design, best video performance and student leadership.

They were among about 600 young people who took part in the event at Portsmouth's Guildhall yesterday.

UK Rock Challenge PR manager Stuart McGregor said: 'It's been a fantastic event with so many performers involved and we are really pleased they are meeting together to experience the thrill of performing and the natural drug-free high of Rock Challenge.

'The standard of all of the performances was astonishing.'

The popular schools' competition, held annually, focuses on positive messages about crime prevention.

Youngsters take responsibility for choreography, set design, lighting, costumes, hair and make-up.

Heats take place every day this week.

One school from each heat will go through to the southern finals at Portsmouth Guildhall at the end of May.