Lord Michael Heseltine and John Lewis chief Andy Street have been lined up to speak at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.

Lord Heseltine, a Cabinet minister in both the Thatcher and Major governments, and Birmingham and Solihull LEP chair Mr Street will speak at the event at the ICC on April 25 - just a day before Birmingham residents go to the polls for a referendum on whether to adopt an elected mayor.

Lord Heseltine is a vocal supporter of elected mayors and was in Birmingham last week to announce to date of a mayoral vote if residents vote ‘yes’ in May.

Chamber president Michael Ward, head of law firm Gateley’s corporate team and its joint partner, said: “This is a tremendous coup for the Chamber.

"We are looking forward to having one of the icons of the Conservative Party sharing a platform with one of the most powerful and visible business leaders in the UK.”