Pupils were treated to a lively election debate when candidates visited to discuss their policies.

Brentwood School, in Middleton Hall Lane, Brentwood, played host to Ukip’s Mick McGough, Liberal Democrats’ David Kendall, Labour candidate Liam Preston and Conservative candidate Eric Pickles.

The event – chaired by head of politics Mike Willis – gave candidates an opportunity to make their cases to more than 200 pupils, and included issues such as vocational education and what it means to be British.

The youngsters were then invited to ask questions, prompting debates on tuition fees, housing and proposed cuts in the benefits system.

More students from Brentwood School will be holding their own hustings next week where pupils will play the part of candidates in the run up to the election.