COMPETITORS in the county final of the Cumbria Young Farmers' Clubs Debating Competition were praised for their eloquence by judges at the event held at Penrith Rugby club.

Raughton Head YFC and Crook YFC proposed and opposed the motion that "Britain should withdraw its forces from Iraq immediately" with well-researched and prepared arguments.

Kent Estuary and Raughton Head members proposed and opposed the argument for and against nuclear power.

Drigg YFC and Kent Estuary re-visited recent events in the courts when they discussed whether Multiple Sclerosis sufferers should be legally able to use cannabis.

Crook proposed the final debate "Hosting the Olympic Games will benefit Britain" with Drigg YFC citing the huge costs as one of their arguments against the motion.

Raughton Head's team of Mari Shanks, Helen Workman, Nicola Wilkinson, Richard Potts and Graham Holliday won the competition with Drigg in second place and Crook third.

Raughton Head and Drigg will next compete against YFCs from the five northern counties in Durham City on March 10.

For more YFC news see this week's Westmorland Gazette.