YOUNGSTERS have taken part in a competition designed to hone their communication skills and boost confidence.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Cliff Trotter said he had been organising a debating competition for the region’s primary schools for the last three years and was always impressed with the level of enthusiasm and talent from the children.

The first heat was held at Hambleton District Council’s base at Stone Cross Civic Centre, Northallerton, on Tuesday, March 10.

He said: “We hold the competition heats in all the county districts before a grand final.

“We set a debating topic – this year it is ‘Is it better being a child now or 50 years ago?’ A group speaks for and another speaks against it.

“I am always impressed with their debating skills – many would put our Prime Minister’s Question Time to shame.”

Cllr Trotter said the children participating, aged 10 to 11, take questions from the audience on the chosen topic and have to convince three judges on who has argued the point best.

He added: “Last year we really had some great future MPs – they were really confident and knew their topic well.

“I have done this every year since I was chairman of the county council, and I started it because I wanted to bring more people, especially young people, into the local council chambers to see where all the big decisions are made.”