Broadcasting legend David Dimbleby is inviting people to pitch questions to political giants John Prescott and Brandon Lewis when Question Time comes to East Staffordshire.

The long-running BBC One political debate show will be broadcast from JCB's World Headquarters, in Rocester, on Thursday, February 22.

A panel of senior politicians, political commentators and other well-known public figures will answer questions from a passionate audience.

Two have been announced, former Labour deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Tory party chairman Brandon Lewis.

And people in Uttoxeter and Burton are being invited to take part and ask difficult questions of the public figures.

David Dimbleby
David Dimbleby

Mr Dimbleby said: "I am very much looking forward to bringing Question Time to the Uttoxeter area.

"What really matters is that we have a lively audience who want to speak their mind.

"It’s a chance for the Uttoxeter area to get its voice heard, not just by politicians but right across the UK."

As one of the UK's top manufacturing hubs, JCB's world HQ promises to provide an intriguing venue for the weekly debate.

Much of the recent discussion in Parliament has centred on how the UK economy will cope with Brexit.

While many fear the consequences of splitting from Britain's main trading partners in Europe, JCB thrives on non-EU trade.

Lord Bamford

Its chairman, pro-Brexit Tory peer Lord Bamford, wrote a letter to his 6,500 employees before the referendum in 2016, telling them they had "little to fear" by voting "leave."

In his letter, he revealed 78 per cent of JCB's turnover came from trade with countries outside the EU.

A JCB spokesman said: "We are delighted to be hosting David Dimbleby and BBC Question Time at JCB.

"The programme has been an enduring part of the British television landscape for nearly 40 years now and in that period JCB has gone from producing almost 7,000 machines a year to more than 70,000 annually, making us one of Britain’s biggest exporters and manufacturers."

JCB World HQ, in Rocester

Audience members will be looking forward to grilling John Prescott, who was an integral part of Tony Blair's Labour government that ruled for a decade from 1997.

But he is perhaps best-known for an altercation with a heckler in Rhyl, North Wales, who threw an egg at him in 2001.

When the egg connected and broke on his pristine suit, the veteran politician famously responded punching the offender.

Applications to be in the audience can be made online at www.bbc.co.uk/questiontime and by clicking "join the audience" or by phoning 0330 123 9988.

Production company Tinopolis did not respond to the Burton Mail's request to reveal who will be on the panel next week.

Question Time was first broadcast in 1979 and David Dimbleby has presented it since 1994.