More than 30 schools in Hertfordshire will join 1,200 from across the country in a spelling competition next week.

The Times Spelling Bee 2011 is open to middle and secondary schools in the UK, and consists of local heats, semi finals and a grand final.

This year 36 Hertfordshire schools will compete in the largest ever competition, which includes teams from as far away as the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands.

Last year St Martin's School in Northwood, which won the competition in 2009, was pipped to the post by Newport Girls' High School from Shropshire.

Representatives from the Moor Park School,Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth, St Clement Danes School in Chorleywood, St Michaels RC School in Watford, and Watford Girls Grammar School will take part in the local heats, which commence on Monday.

The successful schools will progress to semi finals in May, the eleven winning teams from the semi finals will then perform at the O2 Arena in London in the Grand Final on Thursday June 23.