HUNDREDS of confident young speakers will thrash out a series of topical issues on the debating chamber floor this weekend.

Teams from 42 schools across the UK, plus a group of teenagers from Canada, will take part in a competition organised by Durham Union Society and sponsored by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Durham Union Society's debating chamber, on Palace Green, between the cathedral and castle, is the setting for the event, which will culminate with a final for the best four teams on Sunday.

The finalists will debate a motion set by the agency on genetically modified foods (GM), which will then be opened up to the floor for contributions from the rest of the weekend's contestants.

The agency is using the event as a forum to gauge opinion over the use of GM foods.

Board members Richard Ayre and Robert Rees will attend to listen to arguments for and against the consumption of GM foods.

They plan to report their findings to the rest of the FSA board.

Mr Ayre said: "The agency is carrying out a wide range of initiatives to deepen our understanding of consumer views on GM food, particularly those of young people and people on low incomes who do not have a voice in public debates."

Pupils from St Leonard's RC Comprehensive School, Durham, Prudhoe Community High School, in Northumberland, and St Joseph's School, in Hebburn, South Tyneside, will represent the North-East.