Two teams - made up of pupils aged 14 and 15 from both schools - discussed the proposition: "One man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist."

They had already debated in class and studied the lives of controversial figures including Osama bin Laden, Martin McGuinness, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela.

The council chamber debate centred around whether people fighting for freedom should ever use violence. And where the dividing line came between terrorism and warfare.

The proposition was agreed by 18 votes to 15.

Four panellists - two from each school - lead the debate.

Hira Khan, aged 15, from Sir John Thursby, said: "It went really well. It's not every day we get to meet with people from other schools and discuss big, big issues.

"It helps us to learn how things like parliament work and to see other people's points of view."

Nicolo Manta, aged 15, from Blessed Trinity, said: "It was good to meet new people.

"I've always enjoyed arguing a point so it was good to be able to do it in this atmosphere."

The debate was chaired by Rauf Bashir of Building Bridges Pendle - an organisation that develops links between people regardless of their race, religion or cultural background.

Mr Bashir said: "We have been working with the schools for two months. This is our first project outside Pendle - but we have other programmes planned in Hyndburn and Preston.

"This morning the young people have realised the power of speech and discussion as a peaceful means of addressing contentious issues."

County Councillor Alan Whittaker, vice chairman of the county council, welcomed the participants to county hall.

He added: "This is the world young people are living in. They hear about these issues every day and need to learn to discuss them while respecting each other's views.

"It was a brilliant debate. Our future is safe in the hands of these young people."