Coalville councillor Nick Rushton - leader of Leicestershire County Council - has welcomed the Government's invitation to agree a new 'county deal'.

Leicestershire has taken the next step towards securing a ground-breaking, multi-million-pound deal to bring devolved powers to the county.

The Government confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) that Leicestershire County Council will be one of the first nine areas it will invite to agree a new 'county deal'.

The announcement is part of the Levelling Up White Paper published yesterday and follows a bid submitted by the council in the autumn.

Cllr Rushton - who also sits on North West Leicestershire District Council in Coalville - said: "We welcome the Government's decision to invite Leicestershire to be in the vanguard of county deals and look forward to working with Government to get the very best deal for Leicestershire's businesses and residents.

"The opportunity to have a greater say over local services and their funding, matters which affect everyone in Leicestershire, is particularly welcome.

"I am grateful to the County's MPs, and to Neil O'Brien in particular, for their help and support. I'm also grateful to the District Council Leaders for their support of our case and all our partners, including the local NHS.

"The wellbeing of children and young people has been an important part of our bid, which I believe has made it particularly attractive to Government.

"Leicestershire has lost out for far too long – so we're fully committed to levelling up. I look forward to working with Michael Gove and his ministerial team to get the best possible deal for Leicestershire's residents."

The council says it is now waiting to hear from the Government about the next steps.