THE Government's flagship northern regeneration policy risks becoming 'just another boys' club', according to a new study.

Women are under-represented in leadership jobs in the so-called Northern Powerhouse, where two out of five councillors in the region are women, but in the combined authorities, just 28 per cent of top posts are taken by females, said the Fawcett Society.

The study included authorities in the North-East, Manchester, Liverpool and West Yorkshire.

The charity said women make up a fifth of council leaders and directly elected mayors and occupy just one of the seven chairs of the established and proposed combined authorities.

The Government's Northern Powerhouse agenda aims to redress the North-South economic imbalance, and to attract investment into northern cities and towns by devolving power to combined local authorities and elected mayors.

Sam Smethers, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, said: "The truth is, whether we intend to or not, we are devolving power from women to men by establishing new structures for local government with no regard for gender equality or diversity.

"We know that 75 per cent of local government employees are women and women are disproportionately dependent on local services. Women's representation matters but at the moment the Northern Powerhouse risks becoming just another boys' club."

Lauren Lucas, head of projects at the Local Government Information Unit, said: "The diversity of leadership across local government is simply not good enough. We see this very clearly as the prominent voices around the devolution agenda continue to emerge."

James Wharton, the Northern Powerhouse minister did not respond to a request from The Northern Echo to comment.

A Government spokesman said: "This Government is determined to rebalance the economy through building a Northern Powerhouse - a long-term project aimed at creating growth.

"This is about empowering local people who know their areas best and while local government employment is a matter for individual authorities, we would expect such decisions to be taken with regard to gender equality and diversity.

"Ministers have been clear that by encouraging diversity, harnessing talent and encouraging collaboration across Northern businesses, we can help the North reach its potential as a driver of UK economic growth."