The BBC's Question Time programme will be broadcast from Preston's Guild Hall for the first time today (Thursday).

Allan Baker, manager of the Guild Hall, said he has been trying for years to attract the programme and was delighted it was finally going to be broadcast from the city centre venue.

He said: "It's not a big highlight at the Guild Hall, but we are very, very pleased it's coming from the city of Preston. It will help raise the profile of the city."

Hot topics on the programme are likely to be the full ban on smoking in public places, that was passed by MPs on Tuesday, alleged brutality by British troops on Iraqis, and identity cards.

The programme will be chaired by David Dimbleby and the panel will be made up of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Wales, Peter Hain; shadow leader of the House of Commons, Theresa May; president of the National Union of Students, Kat Fletcher; writer and broadcaster, John Sergeant; and Lord Razzall, Liberal Democrat spokesman on trade and industry in the Lords.

It will be screened at 10.35pm on BBC One.