THE new Tees Valley Mayor this week met the Aviation Minister to discuss his plans for the future of Durham Tees Valley Airport.

It was one of the first official appointments for the new minister, former North-East MEP Lord Callanan, since he was appointed after the election.

Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Getting people flying from Teesside airport again was a key election pledge of mine – and one that I will deliver.

"International connections are vital for a growing economy, and I was pleased to have had the opportunity to discuss my ambitious plans for the future of our airport with Lord Callanan."

Mr Houchen, who was accompanied by the new Conservative Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke, presented Lord Callanan with an aerial photograph of the airport at the meeting on Thursday,

Lord Callanan, whose first major announcement in his new role was to confirm that the Government would be pressing ahead with the third runway for Heathrow Airport, said: “We had a very productive meeting. We discussed the future of Teesside airport, and it’s importance in boosting connectivity to the North-East, benefitting passengers, and helping grow the local economy."

Lord Callanan, a minister in the Department of Transport, was the Conservative MP for the North-East from 1999 to 2014.