Children from eight schools in Watford took part in their own Parliamentary debate last week in a new competition.

Nearly 100 children took part in the Watford Inter School Debating Competition on December 13, tackling topics such as organ donation, EU membership and votes for prisoners.

The debates were held in Parliament, and chaired by MPs from Hertfordshire including organiser and Watford MP Richard Harrington.

Mr Harrington said: "I wanted to hold this competition after attending and taking part in debates in some local schools. I was very impressed by the standard of the debates across the board with all competitors showing a real understanding of their arguments and a huge enthusiasm for the competition."

Queens school was the winner, and the team was awarded an opportunity to meet John Bercow, the speaker for the House of Commons.

Mr Harrington now plans to make this an annual event: "I hope that this is the first of many of these competitions and I look forward to welcoming all the students back again next year."