TORY leaders in Yorkshire have come out in favour of a "Greater Yorkshire" devolution deal.

The Conservative leaders in York, North Yorkshire, the East Riding and Hull have made a joint statement about what they want from devolution, putting their weight behind something which recognises the "identity of Yorkshire as a whole".

North Yorkshire leader Carl Les said: “We recognise fully the economic powerhouse that is West Yorkshire, but our ambition for the benefit of all our residents must go far beyond that.

“When you think about the value-added of the other parts the list is almost endless. We have the jewel that is the spa town of Harrogate; York as science city - the Cambridge of the North - its input into the visitor economy matched by that of the Moors and the Dales."

He also spoke of the agri-business of North and East Yorkshire, Hull port's connectivity to Northern Europe, and the potential of the off-shore wind industry.

Cllr Les was speaking on behalf of the North and East Yorkshire Conservative leaders, after the Local Government Conference in Harrogate.

The next step will be meeting with "key stakeholders" like MPs and businesses in the region.