The area of Newcastle and Gateshead has been selected to host a major new art, design and innovation event entitled Great Exhibition of the North.

The area beat off competition from Sheffield, Bradford and Blackpool to win a £5m government contribution to the event along with a £15m legacy fund.

The exhibition will take place across two months in 2018 and showcase the very best of art, culture and design across England’s northern regions.

Secretary of state Karen Bradley announced the win, commenting, “We received lots of really fantastic bids from across the North of England and it’s a real treat to say that Newcastle and Gateshead has won.

Referring to the legacy of the event, she continued: “We know that cities across the North will benefit.”