Blackpool residents have been offered the opportunity to have their say on proposals for a regional casino in Blackpool.

Professor Stephen Crow, chair of the Casino Advisory Panel (CAP) who will recommend where the UK's first regional casino should be located, have asked people to apply for the chance to take part in an Examination in Public on September 8 with representatives from Blackpool Council.

The panel want a summary of no more than 1,500 words, including what views would be put forward, to reach them by August 10.

The panel will then assess the application and issue invitations to ensure as full a range of views as possible is represented.

Councillor Eddie Collett, cabinet member for Tourism and Regeneration and deputy leader at Blackpool Council, said: "This opportunity to make Blackpool's case for the regional casino licence is critical and we have already made a comprehensive submission to the panel to get Blackpool down to the shortlist.

"We believe we have made a very strong case and we are convinced the catalytic effect of the casino as part of our wider redevelopment of the Conference and Leisure quarter will deliver the sort of change required to trigger the wider regeneration of the town."

Blackpool is one of eight places to put in proposals to the panel. One regional casino will be allowed in Britain with eight large and eight small casinos and the CAP has to recommend to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, where the 17 casinos should be located.

The news follows the announcement made by the panel that Blackpool was two points behind the Millennium Dome and a point behind Glasgow in the first stage to find the right home for the UK's only super casino.

Professor Crow said: "The panel will expect participants to give their views on why or why not it should be in Blackpool rather than their views on gambling generally."

Anyone interested should submit their application to Ms Kate Rounce, Casino Advisory Panel Secretariat, DCMS, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH or at kate.rounce@culture.gsi.gov.uk.

Submissions must arrive by 4pm on Thursday August 10.