Local MEP Anthea McIntyre has welcomed news that Andy Street is to be Conservative candidate for West Midlands Mayor.

The Conservative MEP for the West Midlands said: "Andy Street is a brilliant choice. He has been an excellent chairman of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, he has the experience and clout we need in a mayor and he knows the region inside out.

"He also brings huge business experience, imagination and communication skills."

"I fully support the idea of directly-elected mayors. They can cut through local government inertia and truly work in the voters' interests - but they only work well when you have high-quality people in the role. Andy is of the highest calibre."