DAVID CAMERON calls the forthcoming General Election "the most important election for a generation". Ed Miliband says May's vote is a vital opportunity to "rebuild Britain" and Labour will "put working people first".

With three months to go, both the main political parties are neck-and-neck. So what, if anything, can they do to improve their chances?

The Northern Echo is recruiting a panel of voters to let us know what ordinary people in the North-East think.

We are looking for all kinds of people, young and old, employed, unemployed and retired, who want to have an input into our coverage.

You do not need to be interested in politics (indeed, we are not looking for anyone who is a member of a political party), but you will need to keep up-to-date with the forthcoming election and the big issues fashioning the national and local debate.

One of our journalists will call you once a week to ask how you think the week's campaigning has gone for each of the main parties and whether they have influenced your voting intentions. We may also ask for your opinion on major topics that crop up during the General Election campaign.

To take part - and really have a say in the forthcoming General Election - please email Assistant Editor Nigel Burton (nigel.burton@nne.co.uk) with your name, age and address.

We'll be in touch.