STUDENTS from Blackburn College and Burnley College have clashed in a fiery discussion on fracking.

Part of the national ‘Debating Matters’ competition explored the argument over the UK’s policy on the controversial process of fracturing rocks deep underground with chemicals and water in order to collect natural gas and oil.

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Both teams offered arguments focussed on the local significance of the debate, in light of the possible expansion of fracking to East Lancashire’s M65 corridor.

After a hard-fought discussion, the students from Burnley College were deemed winners.

Despite falling short in the fracking debate, Blackburn College won the overall qualifying round at Bolton School to go through to the North-West regional finals.

Georgia Winkley from Burnley College was named ‘Best Individual’.

The Institute of Ideas competition, sponsored by BT, is considered the toughest such contest in the UK.