FORMER Chancellor George Osborne has held talks with North-East business and council leaders over the future of the region’s economy.

Mr Osborne, now chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP), met regional figures during an “evidence gathering” session in Newcastle on Friday.

The discussion, which included Newcastle City Council’s chief executive Pat Ritchie and leader Cllr Nick Forbes, was designed to identify future priorities for the Northern Powerhouse.

Mr Osborne said: “The North East is a vital part of the Northern Powerhouse.

“Today, I'm here in Newcastle listening to business and civic leaders about how the Northern Powerhouse Partnership can work with them to harness their energy and collective will to drive genuine economic renewal right across the North East and wider North.

"These roundtable events will enable the NPP to develop a consensus across the region about the common ideas which we can work closely with national government on to improve the economy and quality of life for people in the North.

“Long-term collaboration between the private and public sectors across the North, and with Government and national agencies, will be essential if this ambition is to be realised and the NPP will be fundamental in delivering this.”