A STOURBRIDGE schoolgirl is getting ready to face off against 11 other youngsters in the final of a national anagram competition.

Izzy Maybury will head to London’s Magic Circle on Saturday, April 29, after beating 50,000 other school children from across the UK who entered the annual Bananagrams Challenge.

The 11-year-old Ridge Primary School pupil’s impressive word skills in the online rounds secured her one of just 12 coveted places in the grand final of the competition.

Izzy said: “I can’t believe I am in the final. I was so excited when I found out I was going to London. Bananagrams is my favourite game to play – it’s awesome.”

She will spend the day at the world-famous magicians’ club competing against her fellow finalists in rounds of Bananagrams, before the overall winner – dubbed the Top Banana – is presented with a specially-designed trophy and £1,000 for their school.

Headteacher Deborah Hudson, who oversaw the challenge at the Wollaston primary school, said: “The Bananagrams Challenge has been a great way for children to have a go at spelling words they're a bit unsure of.

“It was a fantastically fun competition that has kept our key stage 2 children enthralled every step along the way.

“We’re all absolutely thrilled that Izzy made it to the grand final and the whole school is exceptionally proud of her achievement and wish her the very best of success in London.”

Almost 50,000 children in 1,500 primary schools throughout the UK were given the opportunity to ‘Go Wild With Words’ in the third official UK Bananagrams tournament for schools, which was initially launched to help boost children’s vocabulary and spelling skills.

Schools interested in taking part in the 2018 challenge can register now at www.bananagramschallenge.co.uk