The four pupils from Wellington College in south Belfast will compete against students from schools in South Africa, New Zealand, China, England, Scotland and Wales in the world final of the Kids Lit Quiz.

It is the first time a school from Northern Ireland has taken part in the final stage of the competition.

One of the Ulster students taking part, Adam Miskimmon, said he is thrilled at his team's success to date and is looking forward to representing his country in the competition.

"We did quizzes in our classes to see what scores people got and I was in the top three in our class so that's why I was picked," said the 12-year-old student.

"I have enjoyed the revision and games we have been playing in class to help us prepare for the final. It has definitely helped me with my English.

"English is my favourite subject and I like being able to spend time reading. Meeting people from different cultures is also very exciting."

Adam will be joined at the finals by his classmates, Emily Graham, Caroline Carson and Eimear Nilehn, who will all be hoping to walk away victorious from the prestigious contest.

The aim of the competition is to encourage a passion for reading among young people.

In order to make it to the finals in the Unipart Conference Centre in Oxford, the team from Wellington College had to beat off stiff competition from pupils from Belfast Royal Academy, which secured second place and Victoria College in third place.