GREATER Manchester’s new mayor has announced his leadership team, with the councillor for Radcliffe West handed one of the key roles.

Andy Burnham was elected as the region's first elected mayor yesterday and has made Bury Council Leader and councillor for Radcliffe West Rishi Shori his portfolio holder for young people and social cohesion.

In the role he will work with young people across Greater Manchester to give them a voice and ensure all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Cllr Shori said: “For Greater Manchester to succeed we must invest in our young people and work together to ensure everyone can get a good education, decent job and enjoy the best quality of life. I’m looking forward to shaping this new role and working with our young people to shape and build our city-region.”

Manchester City Council leader, Sir Richard Leese, has been appointed Deputy Mayor and will lead on business and economy issues.

Former Home Office Minister Baroness Beverley Hughes has been nominated by the mayor to become Greater Manchester’s first Deputy Mayor for policing and crime.

Mr Burnham said: “I am committed to delivering on my promises to the people of Greater Manchester and a strong leadership team is key to achieving that. Sir Richard Leese and Beverley Hughes bring a wealth of experience, expertise and passion to their respective roles. I look forward to working with them to make Greater Manchester the best place to live, work, grow up and get on in life.

“Young people are at the heart of my plan for Greater Manchester and deserve a strong voice in the decisions that ultimately affect them. By appointing Rishi Shori as the portfolio holder for young people and social cohesion and raising this role to become part of my leadership team, I am inviting every young person to work with us to ensure they have the opportunities they need to get on in life.

"People are talking about stable leadership. Greater Manchester has had it for the last 20 years and with this leadership team we will have it going forward. In testing times Greater Manchester will need its best team on the pitch and that is what today's announcement achieves."