HOT topics of the day were discussed by some of the leading young debators from the North-East.

The four regional finalists in a national competition pitted their wits across the debating chamber at Newcastle University.

Issues including health matters, the potentially harmful effects of violent video games, and the use of modern technology to choose the sex of children, were some of the subjects covered in the North-East final of the Institute of Ideas and Pfizer Debating Matters competition.

It is open to school sixth forms and colleges and was judged by a panel of experts.

They declared themselves highly impressed at the standard of debate and the talent before them.

Following a day of intense discussion, the quartet from Church High School, in Newcastle, was eventually judged regional champions.

They edged out runners-up Newcastle College, with Framwellgate School, Durham, judged third and St Thomas More School, from Blaydon, Gateshead, fourth.

All four teams previously won qualifying events to reach the regional final.

The Church High team will represent the region in the national finals in London, in June, as well as receiving £1,000 worth of books, while Newcastle College's quartet picked up a consolation prize of books to the value of £500.

Victoria Collins, of Church High, was judged the best individual performer on the day. Framwellgate School's Adam Graham was the 'highly-commended' runner-up, ahead of Laura Welch, of St Thomas More School.