FOUR students have qualified for the regional finals after winning a debating competition.

Stanley Evans-Power, Daniel Porter, Jon Deedman and Hannah Dickinson, from Worthing College, won the Hampshire qualifying round of Debating Matters held in Fordingbridge, New Forest, on December 11.

The quartet beat experienced teams from three other colleges to clinch the top spot and will now head to London for the next round in the spring term.

In their first debate Hannah Dickinson and Jon Deedman, gave a well-argued performance in favour of staying in the EU based on open borders and the strength of trans-national, regional decision-making on rights and environmental issues.

Despite vigorous arguments from two Year 13 students from Queen Mary College Basingstoke, the Worthing pair won the heat.

This meant that Daniel Porter and Stanley Evans-Power were in the final, debating the continuing benefits of public libraries with hosts Burgate School.

Dan and Stan made a passionate plea against the closure of public libraries, appealing to the audience to remember their childhood selves enjoying visiting libraries and the joy of real books and asking that this delight be left open to future generations.

Although the debate was close their impassioned arguments in favour of maintaining public services and democracy swayed the judges.

A college spokeswoman said: “The whole competition was an excellent team effort and all four students showed skilful thinking on their feet.

“However Dan Porter was singled out as the best individual debater of the evening.”