Teesside council leaders are expected to announce their intentions today ahead Thursday's key vote on Teesside Airport.

Redcar and Cleveland Cllr Sue Jeffrey is one of five Labour leaders who will vote on Thursday on whether to back Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen’s £40m bid to buy the airport.

She will make a statement this morning.

The leaders of Stockton, Darlington and Hartlepool have now said they will support the deal, which needs the unanimous support of all council chiefs.

But the Labour leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council has strongly criticised the Conservative mayor for his handling of the process.

There will be no separate ballot on the airport and council leaders will instead be asked to vote to approve the combined authority’s £1.4bn Investment Plan.

At today's meeting of Redcar and Cleveland Council's Cabinet, Cllr Jeffrey has said she will make an announcement regarding the Investment Plan, and by association, the airport.

Dave Budd, the Middlesbrough mayor, is also due to speak at a meeting of his council's Executive.

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