WITH the EU referendum vote getting closer, one Teignbridge school hosted a youth debate on Britain’s membership of the union.

Kingsteignton’s Teign School was home to two panels of speakers – team in and team out – from across the political and business spectrum.

The aim of the event was to have an exciting, open and fair debate to engage students.

The day’s events kicked off with introductions and opening statements before they opened the floor for questions, then went on to closing statements before students took a straw poll to decide whether they wanted in or out.

District Lib-Dem councillor David Rollason joined Torbay councillor Nick Bye along with Dr John Green from the Green Party and local business representative and Labour Party member Matt Prowse, to form team in.

Team out consisted of UKIP county councillor Tony Dempster, Newton Abbot Parliamentary candidates Sean Brogan from the Socialist Party and Jackie Hooper from UKIP.

Teign School’s Mrs McClymont said: ‘It was wonderful to see the packed theatre with students ready to engage in political discussion and get swept along by the enthusiasm of the guests.’

The result of the straw poll was 103 to 64 in favour of the in campaign.