Up to 50 students from Vision West Nottinghamshire College joined Mansfield District councillors at a Question Time-style debate.

Mansfield’s mayor Tony Egginton, portfolio holder for public protection Coun Mick Barton and portfolio holder for economic regeneration Coun Kate Allsop were on the panel at the college, with the college’s chaplain Konrad Schaefer and Insp Neil Williams.

The debate, organised by the Student’ Union, was chaired by the college’s deputy principal Mr Andrew Martin. Students voiced their opinions and raised questions on a number of issues affecting them, including respect within the community, employment, crime and religion.

Before the debate, students visited stalls held by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Road Safety Team, Mansfield Partnership Against Crime (MPAC), neighbourhood wardens and the college’s volunteering society.

Students’ Union president Marie Oakton said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to get their voice heard and ask people who work at a senior level for our communities what their opinions were on topical matters.

“Students welcomed this forum to get answers to questions that affect them as residents and as young people in the Mansfield and Ashfield communities. It was a worthwhile event and I’m certain we’ll be looking to host something similar again in the near future.”