North East Mayor elections: Who is Dr Aidan King?

Dr Aidan King is running as the Liberal Democrat candidate for North East Mayor

Voters will elect the first ever North East mayor on 2 May.

The winner will represent two million people living in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham and will get powers and funding from Westminster to make decisions locally.

Dr Aidan King is the Liberal Democrat candidate

He also currently works as a junior doctor at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and was a councillor in the city's Castle ward from 2018 to 2021. Dr King, 44, grew up in Newcastle and managed retail businesses around the North East for several years before going back to university to study medicine at Newcastle University's Medical School. He lives in the city with his two sons, who he has for half the week, he said.

He says he will build 'Europe's largest onshore wind farm'

His number one priority as mayor is building The North East Wind Asset, by the North East for the North East, he said. Dr King says it will transform the region's economy and provide clean, cheap energy for families.

The wind farm will start an 'investment revolution', he says

Dr King says the North East Wind asset will change people’s lives, provide cheap energy, create green jobs and transform the region’s economy.

He has pledged to serve the people of the North East, not 'Westminster leaders'

"We’ve been held back in the North East by a can’t do, won’t do attitude and I’m the only candidate who recognises that and is willing to tackle it," he said.

He thinks economic growth is the biggest challenge for the area

He wants to get the regional economy working for everyone, to improve people's lives, he said.

The thing he loves most about the North East is the people

"We have the friendliest, most hardworking people in the country and every time I’m out door knocking and speaking to people it reminds me why I love this region," he said.