DOES York really need more shops - or more Yuppie flats? Is the MMR jab safe, or should parents be given the option of single vaccinations? Should we go into the Euro? Are the new M&S collections frumpy or fantastic? Would you accept tax rises to pay for improvements to the NHS? Who should pick up the bill for care in our old age?

If you have a view on any of these issues - and a whole lot more, then we want to hear from you.

We are now running a weekly feature, The thing is... in which a panel of women readers will give their view on the talking point of the week.

We've already lined up a dozen local women who will be regularly taking part in our new column, but we'd like to hear from you as well.

Write and tell us what you think - or why not join the panel. More details later.

We've tried to make the panel as representative as possible, featuring women of different ages and backgrounds with varying interests...

Sarah Brownbridge, 45, of York. Restaurateur Sarah runs the Blue Bicycle and the Blue Minelle in Fossgate, along with her partner David Rose. She lives in Fossgate and takes a keen interest in local affairs and the development of the city centre.

Dorothy Dawson, 62, of York. Chairman of the York Conservative Supper Club and a keen public speaker. She worked for 30 years in fashion and shoe stores in York and has four cats. Married to Clive.

Sarah Drew, 27, of York. Runs her own business as an accessories designer. She likes reading, cinema, walking and painting and was once a keen hockey player.

Rosey Dunn, 40, of Stockton-on-the-Forest. Runs a farm with husband Alisdair. They have a son, James, 15. Rosey is vice-chairwoman of the North Yorkshire branch of the National Farmers' Union. She loves horses and racing.

Pamela Egan, 57, of York. A regular letter writer to the Evening Press, Pamela is married to Peter. She has three children and a step-daughter and has three grandchildren. She owns classic cars and is involved in amateur drama.

Katherine Hague, 35, of York. As manager of the Monks Cross Shopping Park, it's no wonder Katherine has a passion for fashion. She's also keen on keep fit and science fiction. She lives with her partner Greg.

Denise Howard, owns the Ouse cruise company YorkBoat and is a former chairman of the York Tourism Bureau. She was awarded an OBE in the New Years' Honours for services to tourism in Yorkshire.

Kildip James, 33, of York. Kildip gave up her career in recruitment to become a full-time mum to Alex, who has just turned one. She is vegetarian and loves cats, cinema, and cooking. She has been married for three years to Daniel.

Lynn Jeffries, 45, of York. Lynn has used a wheelchair since a skiing accident ten years ago. She is chairman of the York Coalition of Disabled People and works for York Health Services NHS Trust as specialist advisor on implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Di Keal, 41 of Norton. Married with three children, Di is a town councillor and passionate campaigner for better flood defences. She is a former social worker and vegetarian who now works as a writer.

Rachael Nicholas, 22, of York. Mad about motorbikes, Rachael is a qualified instructor and runs Motorcycle Training in York. She loves animals and has four dogs and a cat.

June Tranmer, 47, is a Canadian acupunturist, who runs the Healing Clinic in Fulford Cross, York. She lives in South Bank and has two grown-up children, is passionate about the environment, women and children's health and enjoys cycling, the countryside, gardening, cookery and the theatre.

- If you would like to join our panel, write with your name, age, address and daytime telephone number to Maxine Gordon, Features department, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

Updated: 15:01 Thursday, February 14, 2002