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STUDENTS from South Wilts Grammar School will be debating environmental issues at the Great Green Debate on Tuesday.

The youngsters will be competing against teams from seven other Wiltshire secondary schools for the Debating Bowl in front of a panel of environmental experts.

The Debating Bowl is currently held by Lavington School in Devizes and will be awarded to the new winners the same afternoon by Maggie Rae, joint director of public health for Wiltshire Primary Care Trust and Wiltshire County Council.

The 14 to 18 year olds will get the opportunity to discuss issues that affect them, such as, "It is impossible to cut down our carbon footprint without lowering our standard of living".

The debate is being organised in partnership by Wiltshire County Council, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Wiltshire PCT and Wiltshire Children and Young People's Trust Board.

It is being held in the council chamber at County Hall in Trowbridge and will be opened by the county council's leader Jane Scott. It will cover four motions developed to encourage students to think more deeply about the environmental issues often discussed in the media.

Nancy Bryant, Wiltshire County Council's cabinet member for education and youth development said: "It's excellent to see so many young people passionate about the environment and to see them in the council chamber standing up for what they believe in".

Re-launched after five years, this year's Great Debate will be the first to focus on the environment and promises to be a great success. As well as exploring very topical issues, it will help to develop young people's research and public speaking skills.

2:49pm Friday 4th July 2008

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