YOUNG people from Warrington joined the political debate when they staged a contest at Pyramid.

Sixth formers from Priestley College debated whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 before the main competition started between three high school teams who discussed Brexit.

Marks were so close at the end of the contest that there had to be a recount before Bridgewater High School were crowned winners.

Pupils from Padgate Academy and Penketh High School also impressed the judges who were members of Priestley’s Debating Society.

Sophie Johnson, vice president of the College Council at Priestley, said: “We supported the younger teams throughout the debate because we know from experience how tough it can be.

“We really enjoyed giving feedback to each group and were so impressed by them all because they made great progress between the two debates. They clearly worked hard to research the topics that seem a little too complex even for our politicians at the moment.”

Students founded the college’s debating society after conducting several debates within Priestley’s graduate enrichment classes and wanted to open them up to a wider group of people.

Mark Salmon, a senior tutor at Priestley, said the event at the Pyramid was an example of collaboration between the college and other schools in The Challenge Academy Trust.

He said: “The pupils really did seem to look up to our students and responded well to the feedback they received.

“The students and I were so impressed with the high level of debate from the pupils.

"We would all like to thank Paul Cordingley from Penketh High School for organising this exciting and challenging event.”