Stockton students were given the opportunity to find out more about the political parties asking for their votes as party leaders went head to head in a parliamentary candidate debate.

The event, which took place at Durham University Queen’s Campus, Stockton, saw Stockton South candidates from five of the area’s parties answer questions from an audience made up of college and university students and staff.

Stockton Riverside College joined forces with Durham University’s Student Union to bring the debate to students.

“Encouraging our students to engage more in the upcoming General Election has been a priority for the college over the past few months,” said Stockton Riverside College’s Student Services Manager, Julie Wilson.

“Young people are not always interested in politics, but this event was focused on issues that directly affect them. It offered a great opportunity to understand more.”

Facing questions on issues such as education, the economy and immigration were the Conservatives’ James Wharton, the Liberal Democrats’ Drew Durning, the Green Party’s Jacqui Lovell, Independent Steve Walmsley and standing in for the Labour candidate was Stockton North’s Alex Cunningham.

Chairing the event was SRC Bede Sixth Form’s Teacher of Government and Politics Carl Mustill.

Leigh Spanner, Durham Students’ Union Academic Affairs Officer, said: “For many of our students and the local college students, this will be their first time voting. We want to ensure everybody has an opportunity to find out more about the issues which will affect them.”

Among those keen to hear what the candidates had to say was 21-year-old Durham University Medicine student, Ellie Mott, originally from Redditch.

Now living in Stockton, she said “There have been lots of debates on TV and I have seen those, but I wanted to know how it is going to make a difference locally.

“Hearing what the candidates had to say has been interesting. It has reinforced feelings that I had before.”

Also among the audience was Marc Hignell, a 23-year-old support worker now living in Stockton.

Hoping to return to education he said: “This sort of debate is a good idea as it gives students the chance to ask direct questions on issues that affect them.”

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