A QUESTION Time-style debate will be staged in the Ribble Valley involving five candidates from the main political parties ahead of the general election in May.

Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe has organised the event, which has been agreed to by incumbent Conservative Nigel Evans, David Hinder of Labour and the Lib Dems’ Jackie Pearcey.

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Shirley Parkinson, who is standing for UKIP, and Graham Sowter of the Green Party have also agreed to attend the debate on Friday, May 1.

The event has been organised alongside the school’s own election, which will see five pupils fight it out to join the school’s teaching and learning board.

Around 200 students are set to attend along with 10 pupils each from Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, St Augustine’s RC High School and Bowland High School.

Parents and teachers will also be able to ask questions to the candidates during the hour-long debate.

Organiser Sharon Jennison, Ribblesdale High School’s citizenship co-ordinator, said: “I hope that it will help to inspire the pupils to be more engaged with politics.

“Our pupils are not old enough to vote in the election in May but most will be at the next election in 2020.

“Promoting political literacy is a difficult task that is made harder if the lessons are not engaging, but I think that this event will be.

“It’s great that we have had such positive feedback from the candidates and hopefully it will raise awareness of a number of different issues with the pupils.”

Mr Hinder said: “I think it’s a good idea and that it will help the students form their own opinions of the candidates.

“They will be able to ask questions about local issues and express how they affect them and other young people.

“I will also be a chance for the candidates to get their particular message across and debate with our opponents.”

Mrs Parkinson said: “This is very important because younger people do not get a voice but they are as much a part of the community as everyone else.

“It will be a chance to get their voices heard and for their opinions and questions to be put to the candidates.”

Similar debates were held locally during the last general election campaign in 2010. Candidates discussed their policies at St Mary’s Hall at Stonyhurst College as well as at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School.

A debate is being organised for later this year in Whalley.