Don't miss your chance to quiz council leaders at Ashford’s annual State of the Borough Debate next month.

The format of this year’s discussion has been changed to give more emphasis to members of the public, who are invited to send in questions and come along on the night.

The debate will take place in the Council Chamber at Ashford Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, on Thursday, November 26, starting at 7pm. It is expected to last about two hours.

Council leader Cllr Paul Clokie (Con), right, has prepared a statement addressing key issues in the borough, which is intended as a starting point for discussion on the night.

Copies of the statement can be downloaded from the council’s website or picked up from the Civic Centre or the Ashford and Tenterden Gateways.

Residents of the borough are encouraged to post questions for the debate online or through a form on the back of Cllr Clokie’s statement.

Earlier this year councillors considered scrapping the State of the Borough debate, which has been held since 2002, after complaints from some members who branded it boring. It was decided to keep the debate but to change the format.

A council spokesman said: "Even if you don’t have a question, why not come along on the night, when the council’s executive and senior managers will not only answer pre-submitted questions but also take follow-up questions."

To view the statement and post a question, go to www.ashford.gov.uk/stateoftheboroughdebate

All questions must be in by midday on Wednesday, November 18.