Nottingham's Market Square is to house a Speakers' Corner

An area near the Old Market Square has been designated as a location for the site which will be opened on Friday.

The Speakers' Corner Trust hopes to set up a national network of the sites.

The charity's scheme has been supported by comedian Eddie Izzard, who will speak via video-link at the official opening ceremony in the city.

Public platform

Speaking on BBC One's Politics Show, he said: "Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing and it matters because I think the strength of Britain is based on it.

"It's good that Nottingham is doing this and I think other towns should do it too."

Tim Desmond, Chair of the Nottingham Speakers' Corner Committee, said: "We see our Speakers' Corner not only as a new platform for debate in the city but also as a flagship for Nottingham."

Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, London, was established in the 19th Century to give the public a platform to have their say on a topic of their choice.