LONDON, April 21 (Reuters) - Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Catherine Mann said on Thursday that she saw a risk that current high inflation would persist next year, even if consumer demand weakened.

"The domestic inflation ratchet ... has been my central concern," she said in a speech.

"Monetary policy needs to keep inflation expectations anchored; by doing so now, less tightening will be required later, when demand may still be weak." (Reporting by David Milliken Editing by William Schomberg)