The panel of leading figures announced today by Housing Minister Caroline Flint will provide expert advice and support to developers whose proposed locations were announced in last week's shortlist of fifteen potential sites.

They will also play an important role in challenging the developers to meet the highest standards possible for sustainability and design in their final proposals.

The twelve members of the Eco-towns Challenge panel are:

* John Walker (Chair) - Former Chief Executive, British Urban Regeneration Association. Expert in delivery of large mixed use development

* Dr Liz Goodwin - Chief Executive, Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP). Expert in use of natural resources and recycling

* Stephen Hale - Director, Green Alliance. Environment expert

* Sir Peter Hall - President, Town and Country Planning Association. Expert in urban issues, housing and planning

* Wayne Hemingway - Founder, Red or Dead. Expert in design and social issues

* Stephen Joseph - Executive Director, Campaign for Better Transport. Transport expert

* Nick Mabey - Chief Executive, E3G. Expert in energy issues and economic development

* Kris Murrin - TV presenter, expert in sustainable transport and children's issues

* Sunand Prasad - Royal Institute of British Architects President. expert in design and architecture

* Liz Reason - Director, Reasons to Be Cheerful consultancy. Expert in innovative approaches to energy issues and climate change

* Sue Riddlestone - Director, BioRegional Development Group. Expert in sustainability and sustainable development

* Joanna Yarrow - TV presenter, green-lifestyle specialist and founder of sustainability company Beyond Green

Housing Minister Caroline Flint said:

"The high calibre of those who have signed up is testament to both the excitement generated by eco-towns and the opportunity that this presents to shape the way we live, not just in eco-towns but across the whole country."