A team from West Hatch High School will be taking part in this year’s Epping Forest Schools Parliamentary Debating Competition which will focus on whether or not the voting age should be reduced.

Students from seven of the district’s schools will battle it out in the annual competition which is organised by Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing.

The West Hatch High School team of Phoebe Clements and Fred Skipper will be speaking for the motion: "This House believes that the age at which people can vote should be reduced from 18 to 16.”

Geoff Towsey, the school’s Careers Co-ordinator, said: “The topic is very relevant, considering the Scottish Independence referendum.

“We are looking forward to the competition and putting forward our argument regarding the motion.

“I will also be interested to see what points some of the other teams put forward.”

Mrs Laing said: “The issue of the voting age should prove to be a great topic for debate.

“The debating competition is always a good evening and it is always marvellous to see such a high standard of public speaking from the students who take part.”

The competition is being held at Roding Valley High School, Loughton, on Friday, November 7 (6.30pm start).​