TWO North-East MPs are calling on the Conservatives for reassurances over airport taxes ahead of a possible coalition deal.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson and Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell have sent a joint letter to Theresa May raising concerns about the impact a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) will have on the region's economy.

The pair fear the region's two airports could suffer if the DUP secures a policy to reduce airport Air Passenger Duty (APD) in Northern Ireland.

It comes following the devolved power over APD to the Scottish Government which will see the tax cut by 50 per cent by 2018, with a view to replacing it in the long term.

The MPs said: "HMRC's own analysis already suggests that Newcastle International Airport and, by extension, the North-East's economy would be most acutely affected by this move."

They add: "We are very concerned that the issue of APD in Northern Ireland is on the table - and about the further damaging uncertainty this will cause to regional airports in England.”

In the DUP's election manifesto they put forward a policy to scrap APD.