Readers of a regional daily are to get the chance to quiz Ed Miliband this week in his first major public debate since being elected Labour leader.

The Star, Sheffield, is to host an exclusive Question and Answer session with the new opposition leader on Friday morning.

The Doncaster North MP told the paper he wants to hear what people in South Yorkshire think about the future of the country and his plans for breathing new life into Labour.

Friday’s event will be chaired by the Star’s Westminster reporter Mark Hookham, who arranged the event with Mr Miliband’s team.

Mr Miliband was elected Labour leader two weeks ago after narrowly defeating his brother, David, by a wafer thin margin.

The day after his victory he told The Star that he wanted to reconnect Labour with “the values and instincts of the people of South Yorkshire.”

Mr Miliband is the first Labour leader to represent a Yorkshire constituency since Hugh Gaitskell and the first to ever represent a South Yorkshire seat.

Friday’s debate is expected to be the first of a series of similar events across Britain.

Editor John Furbisher said: “Mr Miliband has chosen to start in South Yorkshire because he wants to reconnect his party with the “values and instincts” of the region.

“I see it as a mark of the Star’s profile the region, and a recognition of the importance of the regional press when it comes to connecting with voters.