Two Manx students received a royal handshake following their efforts in a UK reading competition.

Jemima Shepherd, aged 16 from Foxdale, claimed second place in the senior division at this year’s national final of the Prayer Book Society’s annual Cranmer Awards Competition.

The King William’s College student collected her award from the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, who is patron of the society.

Amy Bloch, from Colby, who studies at Castle Rushen High School, was also presented with a certificate by the royal for her participation as a junior finalist.

She previously competed at the national finals last year.

The contest sees entrants compete at a local level, choosing to recite a passage of their choice from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

The winners go on to compete at a national level where they each recite a passage by heart.

During the event, held at Lambeth Palace in London, Prince Charles said: ’It is a crucial part of our heritage and this is, I think, the particular point; we mind about our churches, our cathedrals our buildings but also our language is important.

’When you think how much importance, fortunately, is paid to Shakespeare, the Prayer Book Society still works so hard to spread the word about the Prayer Book and its value.’

He added: ’And as I’m sure many of you understand, as I do, as you get older, the words in the Prayer Book mean more and more and more.’

A total of six winners were announced with certificates being handed out by Prince Charles to 22 other finalists aged between 10 and 18.

First, second and third junior and senior winners received cash prizes of £200, £150 and £100, as well as a commemorative certificate and a copy of the Book of Common Prayer.

For more information on the Cranmer Awards, search www.pbs.org.uk