The country's top bankers are calling on Kent residents to help them draw up future plans to boost the economy.

The Bank of England is forming 12 new forums around the country - with Thanet set to host the very first meeting next month.

The Citizens' Panel for the South East and East Anglia is due to meet on July 15 and the Bank is asking for the community to tell them about economic issues affecting them every day.

Policymakers will be asking for details on jobs, housing and the cost of living so they can understand how the economy is performing throughout the UK.

Dave Ramsden, the Bank of England deputy governor, will be attending the forum and is urging people to get involved.

"Our Citizens’ Panels are a crucial new initiative for the Bank of England, allowing us to listen directly to communities and citizens right across the UK about the economic issues that

affect them," he said.

"Hearing first-hand about what matters to people will allow us to make better decisions for the good of everyone in the UK.

"I’m really looking forward to coming to Thanet to hear about the things that affect people’s lives, from housing and pay to the cost of living and the financial services they use.”

The panels will each have 24 people on them with meetings planned to take place twice a year throughout the South East and East Anglia region.

But the Bank stresses the panels do not have to be made up with economic experts and is keen to hear from all parts of communities.

Applications are open to join the panel with anyone over the age of 18 eligible to apply and close on June 26.

Phil Eckersley, the Bank’s agent for the South East and East Anglia, said: "I hope that we can attract a wide range of applications to join the panel so that we can hear from as many diverse voices as possible.

"You certainly don’t need to be an expert on the economy to come along – the economy affects us all in different ways and it’s those various perspectives we want to hear."

To apply or for more information visit www.bankofengland.co.uk/outreach/citizens-panels or call Hope Gray on 07712 324878.

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