Comedian and author Charlie Higson quizzes Finsbury Park's young consumers

Students from the Finsbury Park area pitted their wits against comedian and author Charlie Higson in the Young Consumers of the Year contest.

The quiz, organised by Islington Council's Trading Standards team, teaches young people about their rights when buying goods and services, how to make healthy and "green" choices, look after their money and work together as a team.

Local author and comedian Charlie Higson was quiz master for the quick-fire University Challenge-style quiz at Emirates Stadium, testing the competitors on a wide range of subjects.

After two exciting semi-finals Central Foundation Boys' School overcame strong challenges from Highbury Grove School and St Aloysius' College to win the final in fine style.

Jan Hart, Islington Council's service director of public protection, said: "It's important young people know how to avoid being scammed and how to manage money, especially in these difficult times.

"The level of knowledge was very impressive and congratulations to Central Foundation.  Thank also to Charlie Higson for hosting the contest."

The boys from Central Foundation will now go on to fly the flag for Islington at the London regional final of the competition at the O2 Arena on March 19th.

Tripp Luggage gave a set of cases for the school and students won book tokens and copies of Charlie's latest novel, The Sacrifice. The event was sponsored for the seventh year by Arsenal and their caterers, Delaware North.

Other sponsorship came from Office Shoes, Slaughter and May, Thane Direct, Waterstones, Islington Green, the Electrical Safety Council and Islington Community Alcohol Partnership.

For consumer advice in Islington please see www.islington.gov.uk/tradingstandards