Greater Manchester mayoral election date set for May 2017

Greater Manchester has been a key focus for Chancellor George Osborne's "Northern Powerhouse" vision

Residents in Greater Manchester will choose their first directly-elected mayor next year, the government has confirmed.

The role is part of a devolution deal, giving local politicians control over £2bn of public money.

The government said the mayor would provide the "local accountability needed with the new powers being devolved".

The election will take place on 4 May 2017 and then every four years.

The mayor will lead the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, made up of the area's 10 local council leaders, which will control budgets for areas such as transport, skills and housing.

George Osborne signed the devolution agreement with regional council leaders at Manchester's town hall in 2014

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd has taken on the role of interim mayor until the election.

Greater Manchester's devolution deal - part of the government's Northern Powerhouse programme - was the first to be agreed in England.

The region also became the first to get full control of its health and social care budget in April 2015.

Greater Manchester

• Metropolitan area formed in 1974

• Made up of 10 councils: Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan

• Population is about 2.7 million

• Covers an area of about 500 sq miles

• Has an economy bigger than Wales or Northern Ireland

• Designated a City Region in 2011 when the Greater Manchester Combined Authority was established