A TEAM of sixth-form students from Blackburn College have made it to the regional finals of the Debating Matters competition, after beating rivals Runshaw College.

Tyler Bolam, Chris Parry, Raeesa Bhamji and Abdul Afzal took part in the competition which also involved Burnley College and Bolton School. They debated the motions ‘The state should regulate the funding of political parties’ and ‘Factory farming is necessary’ in front of guest judges Denise Gee, from Blackburn with Darwen Council, Ken McLaughlin, of Manchester Metropolitan University and Mindy Gofton, from I-COM.

Raeesa and Abdul were crowned overall winners to qualify for the regional finals in Manchester next March.

Tyler said: “It not only allowed me to strengthen my debating skills, but also look at things from a perspective I hadn’t previously considered.”

David Jones, history lecturer and debating matters manager from Blackburn College, said: “The standard was fantastic. Raeesa and Abdul’s confidently articulated facts around animal welfare, food prices and a growing world population stole the show.”