Great debaters Andrew Moth, Conor Murphy, Lydia George and Samual Johnson.

Members of Honiton Community College’s debating team set their sights on winning a place in the final of a national debating competition.

Great debaters at Honiton Community College beat off stiff competition from schools across Devon, Dorset and Gloucestershire to win a place in the regional final of a national competition.

Members of the college’s sixth-form debating team, including Lydia George, Conor Murphy, Andrew Moth and Samual Johnson, will now compete in the next round of the Debating Matters competition in Bristol next year.

Lydia and Conor won the first debate – arguing against the motion that free speech should never be an absolute – beating the Farmor’s School from Gloucestershire.

Samual and Andrew won the second debate against Sherborne Girls’ School – stating a case against the motion that the UK should avoid a dash for gas.

The team also includes Tamara Rutland, Amy Keitch and Jack Fry.

Team members are hopeful they can win a place at the national final in London.