Mayors from across the north of England have pledged a new era of co-operation.

Seven mayors gathered in Newcastle on Saturday at an event arranged by North East mayor, Kim McGuinness, and Great North Run founder, Sir Brendan Foster, to make the commitment.

The initiative, branded Great North, aims to enable the northern regions to market themselves globally under a single brand - with an area of 15 million people, spanning the Pennines up to the Scottish border, accounted for.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness said: "The Great North Run has for decades shown what’s great about our north, and now it’s time we spread that message.

"As well as uniting to create opportunity and jobs we know we need a stronger, unified voice into government as we prepare for the Spending Review.

"We cannot afford to slow down the pace of devolution, a Great North deserves a greater say over its own future.

"That means handing mayors single settlements and an end to the days of bidding into Whitehall for permissions to spend, and changes to legislation to free up the north to contribute more to the Government’s missions."

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin were among those in attendance at the event.