PUPILS from a Durham school have visited Parliament to take part in a national public speaking event.

Andrew Hedges, Rebecca Burgess and Lucy McNeill, who are all year 12 students at Framwellgate School, all spoke during the debate about censorship in the House of Lords.

They were selected to take part after taking part in a workshop at school.

The event was organised by the English Speaking Union and is aimed at introducing young people to debating.

Lucy said: “It was a fantastic insight into political life that has expanded my knowledge and influenced my decisions for the future.”

Andrew added: “The day was really exciting, and has made me question my views on the wider world.”

Jennifer Moss, enterprise and STEM enrichment officer at the school, said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students to see behind the scenes of the House of Lords and to sit on the iconic red benches of the chamber.

“I was hugely impressed with their perceptive and articulate speeches, and with the confidence and maturity they displayed in such a formidable setting.”