FIRST time voters quizzed Halton's three parliamentary candidates this week - behind closed doors.

The World was banned from listening to Friday's sixth form debate at SS Peter & Paul RC High School in Widnes - in an unprecedented row over child protection.

When we asked head of sixth form and politics teacher Ged Bullman if we could cover the event, he advised us to seek permission from the three prospective MPs.

However, two hours later, when we informed him that the candidates were happy for us to be there, he refused to let a reporter and photographer in.

He told The World: "On reflection, I do not have the consent of pupils or their parents.

"I do not want to put pupils in a position where their views will be recorded without their knowledge. It is our duty to protect them."

We reassured Mr Bullman we would not be naming individual students, we simply wanted to hear the issues raised by Halton's first time voters and record candidates' responses.

Our journalists had already covered two other hustings events, organised by Make Poverty History and Age Concern.

Conservative candidate, Colin Bloom, said: "This is political correctness gone mad. It's about time we stopped being PC and started putting common sense back into this election.

"The media has an important role to play in democracy. It's an absolute disgrace to deny the paper access."

Sitting Labour MP and schools minister Derek Twigg, said: "I think it's a matter for the school to decide."

Lib Dem candidate and university professor Roger Barlow, said: "I think it is up to the school to call."