AN INNOVATIVE chance to grill the movers and shakers in the St Albans district is being pioneered by community broadcasters Radio Verulam next month.

Your Questions is the first in a series of radio programmes in which members of the public can quiz a panel of local politicians, businesspeople and decision makers on what is happening in the district.

With a format similar to the BBC television programme Question Time, the show will take place in front of a live audience of people who live and work in the district.

The presenter of Your Questions will be John Stephenson, who explained: “Radio Verulam is proud to be playing a role in bringing together local residents, businesses and community leaders to debate topics which are important to them.

“We are really keen to get as wide a representation of local interests in the audience as possible and I look forward to chairing a lively discussion.”

The first programme will be recorded on the evening of Tuesday, March 15, at the Maltings Arts Theatre in the centre of St Albans starting at 7pm. It will be broadcast on Radio Verulam at 92.6FM shortly afterwards with a podcast also available.

Guests can either turn up on the night or to ensure they get a seat it is advisable to book in advance.

The programme will provide a platform for local residents and businesses to put questions to a panel comprising leaders of the county and district council, MPs, business, educational, charitable and service organisations, the media, celebrities and others whose opinions help shape what happens in the district.

The panel will change for each programme and the members for the first programme will hopefully include representatives from St Albans District Council and Herts County Council and Herts Advertiser editor Matt Adams.

The questions will be selected by an independent panel who are not participating in the programme.

For more information about the programme and to reserve your seat, see Radio Verulam’s website or go direct to www.radioverulam.co.uk/yourquestions.html where you can also submit questions in advance if you wish.