New Labour North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll added: "Our people have rejected the chaos… where their kids could be kicked out of their homes at a month's notice.
"They’ve rejected a chaotic housing market, where our young people can’t afford to live where they grew up."
Labour's Jamie Driscoll hailed his win in the North of Tyne mayoral elections, saying: "This victory on the North of Tyne is a verdict on positive campaigning on clear socialist policies.
"The Tory party has been rejected, not simply for fumbling the Brexit negotiations."
He added it's a verdict "on a derelict government".
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A steelworks manager generated fake orders for bearings which were stolen and sold on, prosecutors say.
Read MoreLabour's Jamie Driscoll has won the North of Tyne mayor election.
The former engineer said his policies would "help make a real difference to people's everyday lives".
These include community housing co-operatives, a green energy company, and a "people's bank".
He won 76,862 votes compared with his Conservative rival Charlie Hoult, who got 60,089.
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The Right Reverend Graham Usher says his new role is "somewhat daunting".
Read MoreIndependents hold three seats in Park End and Beckfield, Conservatives hold one and Labour hold three.
In Linthorpe, Labour hold two seats, Independents hold three seats, Green Party hold one, Conservatives hold one and Liberal Democrats hold one.
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Labour have lost control of Darlington Borough Council.
The party lost lose nine seats in total and now have 20 seats overall.
The Conservatives gained five seats to become the largest party with 22, just four short of a majority.
The Liberal Democrats won three seats, the Green Party won two and Independents have three.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
There are three seats left to confirm and Labour only have 21 seats.
So there will be no overall control at Stockton Council.
Counting of the second preference votes for the North of Tyne Mayor has started.
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David MacMillan
BBC Tees
Labour has lost a seat to UKIP and two to Independents in Redcar and Cleveland.
The party has gained one from the Liberal Democrats.
The Conservatives have taken both seats in the new Skelton East Ward, beating veteran Labour councillor Dave Walsh.
Labour have held two seats, while the Conservatives held one in Coulby Newham.
Turnout 1,833 / 28.71%
Former Middlesbrough keeper Jim Platt has won a seat on the town council.
He stood as an Independent, and another Independent Ron Arundale joins him after they won the Kader seats from Labour.
Turnout 2,011 / 45.59%
Andrew Hartley
BBC Look North
Labour doing spectacularly badly in Darlington.
Results are still coming in but it’s clear the council will go No Overall Control from Labour.
The Conservatives have gained eight seats so far. Independent gains too.
Local Labour MP Jenny Chapman has just told me “lessons need to be learned”.
Richard Moss
Political Editor, BBC Look North
First preference voting figures:
The second preferences of the three bottom candidates will now be counted and added to the first preferences so around another 75,000 votes are potentially up for grabs, though in reality it’ll be fewer than that.
Richard Moss
Political Editor, BBC Look North
There will be a run-off in the North of Tyne Mayor election.
It will be between Labour's Jamie Driscoll and Conservative Charlie Hoult.
An Independent has gained another seat from Labour.
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The body of Nikki Allan, seven, who had been stabbed 37 times, was found in a derelict building.
Read MoreThe Liberal Democrats have gained a seat from Labour on Stockton Council.
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Richard Moss
Political Editor, BBC Look North
Cameras have lined up at the North of Tyne Mayor count for the first announcement of votes.
Candidates are not expected to reach 50% of first preferences, so the top two in this round will face a second count taking into account second preferences of eliminated candidates.
