MILFORD Haven School is one of six across Wales to qualify for a country-wide animal welfare debating competition, to take place at the National Assembly for Wales.

RSPCA Cymru has been hosting Great Debate events, with school children debating a host of animal welfare topics at “centres of citizenship and democracy” across Wales.

Twenty two teams from 21 schools have competed in five Wales heats - with Milford Haven one of six winning through and reaching June's final.

The schools debated a range of topics - including the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union to animals, hunting with dogs, animal abuse penalties, the keeping of primates as pets, and the use of service animals.

Pupils taking part also learned more about the RSPCA and animal welfare in Wales, with an interactive quiz - utilising voting technology, and providing further lessons in citizenship and democracy.

Schools appointed media officers, who had the chance to nurture their own journalistic skills in the field of animal welfare, supporting their classmates and informing the public about the debate by live-tweeting and reporting on proceedings.

The Great Debate events form part of the RSPCA’s flagship Generation Kind initiative - a set of ambitious, innovative projects that aim to nurture and encourage the values of kindness and compassion towards all animals within children and young people.

Sarah Vining, RSPCA events manager, said: “RSPCA Cymru is delighted to have hosted Great Debate events across Wales, giving young people the opportunity to develop their debating skills and learn about animal welfare at centres of citizenship and democracy.

“The standard of debating was exceptionally high - with the passion, interest and enthusiasm the young people have for animal welfare clear to see. That’s why the Great Debate programme is such an important part of our new Generation Kind initiative.

"From developing empathy and compassion, encouraging greater understanding of animal welfare, and nurturing skills in public speaking, negotiating and in journalism, we hope these events will leave a lasting legacy to all attendees.”