Conservative's Ben Houchen elected as first Tees Valley Metro Mayor

Conservative's Ben Houchen has been elected as the first mayor for the Tees Valley.

After second preference votes were taken into account Ben Houchen got 48,578 votes while Labour's Sue Jeffrey got 46,400.

The newly-elected mayor said there has been a "political earthquake".

Ben Houchen said in his victory speech after defeating Labour's Sue Jeffrey: "We are seeing a massive trend towards the Conservatives."We have started to turn the Tees Valley blue."

He said the party will target five seats in the General Election - improving onthe one it held at the last election, James Wharton's Stockton South.

What will be expected of Ben Houchen?

Watch our video explainer by Helen Ford:

And in his own words:

Speaking to ITV Tyne Tees, Mr Houchen said he while he thought the shock result was 'on the cards' it still caught him by surprise.

He said: "I think it would be remiss of me to say that it's a result that I expected, but it was one that was on the cards. I think we've seen a massive trend towards the Conservatives in this area in recent years, and I think today is the start of a political earthquake that will see Tees Valley turn blue come the 8th of June."

As Tees Valley Mayor, Mr Houchen will have to work closely with the leaders of the five councils that make up the Tees Valley area: Hartlepool, Darlington, Stockton and Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.

All the leaders are Labour leaders.

Mr Houchen said: "I'm looking forward to working collaboratively I think ultimately we've got to be aware that I have a political mandate to deliver on my promises for the Tees Valley. I think it's a very dangerous thing when politicians go against that mandate, so I'll be reminding them that we need to deliver on those promises. But I'm looking forward to working with them to create jobs, grow our economy and make the area a fantastic area to live that we know it will and can be."