Image caption Key themes for devolution are economic growth, health, social care and infrastructure

Councils across Devon and Somerset have announced plans to work together in order to get more powers over transport, health and job creation.

The authorities have submitted a statement of intent to the government to hand down control to the regions.

The document sets out the areas for discussions about what powers could be devolved.

Devon County Council leader John Hart said: "It is really important that we present a united front."

'Early stages'

Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership - which represents local businesses and councils in Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay - are also backing the devolution of powers.

Key themes are economic growth, health, social care and infrastructure.

Mr Hart said: "These are very early stages but we are ambitious and we believe that devolution would help us create jobs, build the right infrastructure and make progress on key issues like health and social care integration.

"We have shared goals with our partners and will be working very closely with them in the coming weeks and months to move things forward."

Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans said: "As a region we are already developing stronger relationships through ambitious and far-reaching schemes such as the City Deal and the Peninsula Rail Taskforce.

"This statement is about telling government we want to have some serious conversations about the issues that are important to all of us."