Shadow chancellor John McDonnell is set to bring his over-subscribed economics tour to East Anglia in March.

Aides are currently finalising a Norwich date for the New Economics series of free seminars which the Labour leadership hopes will challenge 'Westminster-dominated views' about the economy.

Mr McDonnell said the series of public events would broaden the debate about economics in Britain, and he hoped the themes which emerged would help inform Labour's economic policy.

The first wave of dates, which are mainly in London, have already sold out.

The plan comes after the official report into Labour's election defeat last May found that former leader Ed Miliband had failed to break the 'myth' that Labour had caused the crash.

Details of the lecture – which will be led by Cambridge academic Ha-Joon Chang and will be called 'A balanced and sustainable economy', will be announced later this week.

Events are also expected to be held in Bristol and Manchester.

Ha-Joon Chang, a Guardian columnist, teaches economics at Cambridge University and is the author of 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism, and Economics: the User's Guide.

Mr McDonnell said: 'I am delighted that we have sold so many tickets to our initial events already and we are looking to add more dates.

'It's really encouraging that there are so many people in our country who are deeply interested in an alternative to the failing Tory economic plan and want to take part in the Labour Party's policy development. '

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