Warwickshire people are being urged to have their say in a public debate over genetically modified crops.

The discussion is being held at the full county council meeting next week as part of changes to the structure of local government.

As well as councillors, members of the public are now being allowed to address the meeting.

Views on genetically modified crops and the funding of education will come under the spotlight at the debate.

Each subject will be given around 45 minutes, with everyone attending being promised the chance to make a contribution.

The meeting will be held at Shire Hall in Warwick at 10am on Tuesday 9 May, with the debates expected to start at 10.15am.

The discussion over GM crops follows the revelation that an Upper Tysoe farmer caught up in the row in Warwickshire has moved the site of the field earmarked for the trials. He will now use a field in Priors Hardwick.

The other fields in the county being used for the trials into genetically modified food are in Alderminster and Chipping Camden.

Cllr Ian Bottrill, leader of the county council, said the debates would be the second in a series of six planned for the year.

He said:

“We have introduced these debates in an effort to get people more actively involved in local government.”