CANDIDATES hoping to become the first mayor of the Tees Valley have clashed over the future of Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Conservative candidate Ben Houchen reaffirmed his pledge to use part of the new mayor’s £15m-a-year budget to take the airport back into public ownership at a hustings event at Teesside University.

He said the airport would be “for the people by the people”, but Labour candidate Sue Jeffrey described his proposal as a “reckless way forward”.

Mr Houchen said: “It’s the worst travesty that’s happened in Tees Valley over the last 20 years

“I think something that drastic needs to be done. It’s been failed by Labour local authorities over the last 20 years."

Ms Jeffrey said: “I personally believe there is a future for that airport, there has to be a future because it is an international gateway, it’s our international gateway.”

UKIP candidate John Tennant suggested hosting a referendum on whether there should be a mayor for the Tees Valley, and revealed he would be on the side of the “no “ campaign.

Liberal Democrat Chris Foote Wood said he envisaged a Tees Valley Metro, whilst John Tait, North East Party candidate, focused his arguments on infrastructure spending

The elections take place on May 4.