THE challenges and opportunities facing companies during Brexit will form the basis of a panel debate at a business expo.

Tomorrow’s Durham Oktoberfest will feature a panel debate and question and answer session for industry figures to give their thoughts on Britain’s EU divorce.

The seminar will feature David Land, chairman of the County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network, which organises Durham Oktoberfest, Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson and Aquirius Rail’s newly-appointed managing director Abi Broadley.

Also on the panel will be Tait Walker’s Michael Smith, Kevin Maloney, of Muckle, Jackson Hogg’s Richard Hogg and Lee Childs, of Sora.

The Northern Echo’s business editor Steven Hugill will chair the event.

Mr Land said: “This year marks the tenth anniversary of Oktoberfest, so it’s fitting we find a key topic to debate and one of the hottest topics is the requirements for industry after we exit the EU.

“The panel brings together a number of key figures from industry and politics, who have their own views on what should happen when Britain exits the EU.”

In addition to the panel debate, the University of Sunderland will return to host a maintenance forum, while the Rail Alliance will host a seminar looking at opportunities in the rail sector.

An education zone will allow budding engineers to showcase their work and meet future employers, while an incubator zone will run for micro firms to display their products.

Durham Oktoberfest takes place at the Xcel Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.