PENGLAIS sixth-formers showed “overwhelming support” for the voting age to be reduced to 16, Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood has said after a Question Time event at the school.

Ms Wood AM was joined by Ceredigion AM, Elin Jones, at Penglais School last Thursday for a question and answer session on the eve of Plaid’s annual conference in Aberystwyth.

A packed audience of sixth-formers asked questions on a wide range of topics, including water resources, renewable energy, education, funding the health service, and student fees.

The panellists were also asked about lowering the voting age to 17, with the move finding favour among a majority of the audience.

Ms Wood said: “I was delighted to have the chance to visit Penglais School, and have a very lively and wide-ranging discussion of political issues, including the idea which Plaid Cymru supports of voting at 16.

“When I’ve visited schools in the past, there has been a divide within the audience over lowering the voting age. But the idea seemed to have overwhelming support in Penglais.

“It’s clear that young people in Aberystwyth are engaged with the key choices facing us all as we look forward to the Welsh election next May.”