TWO politicians toured the North-East yesterday to discuss the development of the region with local leaders and young people.

Communities and Local Government Minister David Miliband and Industry Minister Alun Michael were in Newcastle for the first of a series of city summits around the country.

The aim is to exchange ideas on how cities can be regenerated and compete with the best cities in Europe.

Mr Miliband, MP for South Shields, South Tyneside, and Mr Michael, who represents Cardiff South and Penarth, travelled by boat from South Tyneside to Newcastle to view the regeneration of the riverside, including Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides.

They held talks with local authority leaders from County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland to hear their views on the future development of the region and how it will be achieved.

They also held a panel discussion with about 50 young people of sixth-form age to discuss their aspirations for the area in ten years' time.

The ministers also attended a discussion with development agency One NorthEast and business leaders on the city-region's economic strategy, its competitive advantages and disadvantages compared with other European cities and barriers to growth and development.

They met members of the Newcastle Partnership in the city's West End to discuss standards of living issues with organisations involved in community service and residents.