YOUNGSTERS will square up to each other over the US Presidential election at a schools debating competition.

Seven schools - Chigwell, West Hatch, Davenant, Debden Park, St John's, Roding Valley and Braeside - will take part in the competition.

The schools will speak for and against the motion 'This House believes that Britain’s interests will be better served by the election of Mitt Romney rather than Barack Obama.’

The Parliamentary-style contest is organised by Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing.

She said: "I have chosen a motion which is very topical at the moment and hope that the schools will be doing plenty of research into the issue.”

The debate takes place on November 9 at the home of last year’s winners, Debden Park High School in Loughton.