Manchester Mayoral Elections 2017

Tony Morris is at Rochdale Town Hall where he's hosting Granada Reports' Greater Manchester Metro Mayor debate.

Voters put their questions to the candidates on what they would do if they win the election to become Mayor.

• Click here to watch the Granada Reports Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor debate
• Click here for more about the Greater Manchester Mayoral Election.

It's one of the biggest political changes in a generation and it is happening right here in the North West.

Our two biggest regions - Greater Manchester and Merseyside and Halton are on the verge of choosing new Metropolitan Mayors - political leaders who will have big budgets and major influence.

Tonight at 6 o'clock on ITV, a special Granada Reports debate sees voters question the Greater Manchester Mayoral candidates

• Click here to watch the Granada Reports Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor debate
• Click here for more about the Greater Manchester Mayoral Election.

The polling booths of Greater Manchester are going to be busy over the next few weeks.

The General Election is due on June 8 but a month before that there's the ballot for the new Metro Mayor.

He or she will hold new powers devolved to the area by the Government.

Included in those powers are controversial plans for building thousands of houses.

Here's Our correspondent Ann O'Connor:

In six weeks, many of us will go to the polls to choose our first ever elected mayor.

The winner will have powers over many parts of everyday life.

In Greater Manchester, those include the transport that keeps the area moving, particularly the hundreds of thousands of journeys made every day by bus.

Ann O'Connor reports: