Students from Queens’ School in Bushey have debated healthcare as part of a week dedicated to science and engineering.

On Friday, students from the school in Aldenham Road, gathered together to hear fellow pupils go head to head to argue the motion "should obese people ever be refused healthcare".

Students Jenni Wright, Louise Warren and Clare Styles argued their points, with Jenni stating that: "Morbid obesity is killing people and it's being ignored, therefore society needs to take a stand and give people a motive to take responsibility for their actions".

Opposing her view were Louise and Clare, who argued that “we cannot discriminate against people who are obese - treatment must be available free for everyone or not at all.”

They continued: "We cannot tell someone how to live their life. It is wrong to force your moral values upon someone else.

"Obese people also pay tax and so have just as much right for use of the NHS as anyone else. The government should prioritise where it is spending its money, rather than wasting it on the military."

The debate marked the climax of National Science and Engineering week held at the school.

Teacher Cathie Serrao, head of science, said: "As Hertfordshire is one of the only counties to adopt this policy, Queens’ School thought it important to debate.

"There were more than 120 students there from all age groups, all interested in sharing their views.

"With so many squeezed into the Learning Resource Centre, a lively and heated debate ensued."