TEIGNMOUTH will be in the national spotlight once again when a top radio show is broadcast live from the resort.

The popular long-running BBC Radio 4 Any Questions programme comes to the Carlton Theatre on Friday, March 11, and will be beamed to millions across the country and abroad.

The panel will include Location Location TV programme presenter Kirsty Allsop; veteran Tory politician Ken Clarke, now the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice; outspoken columnist and associate editor of the Daily Mirror Kevin Maguire; and Exeter MP and former Labour minister, Ben Bradshaw.

It will mean even more valuable free publicity for the town, following on from the huge media attention given to the Tour of Britain cycle race last year, and the Muse seafront gig in 2009.

The producers agreed to visit Teignmouth at the invitation of local composer David Haines, who is one of the main organisers of the Teignmouth Science Festival which is being held the same weekend.

'I am a complete Radio 4 addict, so I suggested we apply to host one of the my favourite programmes, Any Questions.

'Rather to my surprise, the producers replied almost immediately to say 'yes.'

'What better way to launch a festival about communication, than by welcoming that great communicator Jonathan Dimbleby (the chairman) to town.'

The panel of four has yet to be chosen, but usually comprises top politicians and other well known pundits.

One resident is especially pleased to hear the news. Peter Merrick, a mature media student, has been trying to lure the programme to Teignmouth for years.

'Like David, I am a great fan, and at last my wish has been fulfilled.'

Sue Blake from the science festival was happy to offer Mr Merrick the first pair of tickets for the programme, adding: 'He thoroughly deserves it after waiting for so long.'

The mayor, Cllr Ian Parkes, added his congratulations to Mr Haines, saying: 'Another big coup for us. It is the sort of publicity you just cannot buy, so well done to all involved.'

Tickets can be obtained by emailing [email protected]">[email protected] or by calling 01626 870107 or 01626 776586.

The show starts at 8pm, but the audience must be in their seats by 7.15pm. They will have the chance to submit questions when they arrive.