HIGH school and college students are to have their say on whether the UK legal voting age should be reduced to 16.

Bedford, Golborne, Hindley and Westleigh high school pupils and Wigan and Leigh College students took part in a debate on the subject at Wigan Town Hall’s chamber last night.

Five secondary schools, two colleges and Wigan Youth Zone were tasked with researching a side of the argument.

A video of the debate will be shown in all high schools and colleges across the borough to help students cast their vote on the subject over the next couple of weeks.

The result will be fed back to Wigan Borough’s Youth Cabinet, which is going to the House of Commons next month to discuss the most important topics to young people from the borough with other budding politicians from across the country.

Alan Lindsay, assistant director of education at Wigan Council, who opened the debate last night, said: “I was really impressed by the young people and the passion that came through during the debate.

“Both sides of the debate gave really compelling arguments both for and against the lowering of the voting age and I will be really interested to see which way the vote goes in the next couple of weeks.”

The debaters covered a number of subjects to help them illustrate their points, including Brexit, school curriculums, brain development even Father Christmas.

Harrison Booth, 13, from Hindley High School was on the ‘for’ side of the debate.

He said: “I believe 16-year-olds should be able to vote because we can give fresh ideas towards our future.

“I enjoyed having a say because my voice can actually influence other young people.”

Louise Leech, 14, from Bedford High School, was on the ‘against’, but she actually believes that 16-year-olds should be able to vote.

She said: “The debate was a great chance for us to express our opinions.

“Of course it is easier to debate something I am passionate about, but there are two sides of an argument and I have learned that both sides are valid by doing the debate.”

If you would like to watch the debate, the video will be available for viewing on Wigan Council’s YouTube channel and website soon.