It's less than three months since the six new metro mayors took office, but their impact and influence is already being felt on the national and local political stages.

This been most evident during the recent row over the Government's decision to scrap the electrification of the Manchester-Leeds train line, while giving the green light to London's Crossrail2. This understandably caused much consternation in the North, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham led the way in voicing frustrations in a series of strongly-worded statements and media appearances.