A NEW regional political party which says it puts Yorkshire First is launching a manifesto with calls for new funds for the region, a code of conduct and an extra bank holiday.

The party Yorkshire First was launched just before the European elections last year to promote, give a voice to and reinvigorate the region.

Organisers say the region has a similar population to Scotland and double that of Wales but with little of the powers they enjoy.

Leader of the party, Richard Carter, is launching the manifesto in York on Wednesday (February 25).

So far the group has six candidates standing for the parliamentary elections in May, but none of them are in North Yorkshire.

Their main focus is to get a directly elected accountable Parliament for Yorkshire, but they say they also want to: address current failures on child poverty and social mobility; create a Yorkshire Futures Fund to drive sustainable growth; launch a new Made in Yorkshire label and declare bank holiday for the region on August 1, Yorkshire Day.

Mr Carter, a Leeds businessman said:"The Yorkshire First manifesto frames our approach to taking powers away from Westminster to Yorkshire showing the positive benefit that would bring to us here and in turn allowing us to unleash the fantastic potential which exists.

"The aim of the manifesto is to show how, with the right structures, tools and powers we can succeed as a region, that works for all parts of Yorkshire, and builds a more balanced UK."