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Jessie Joe Jacobs announced her plans to tackle mental health, support new digital and green technologies and unite the region at the event at Hartlepool College of Further Education.

She also pledged to put young people at the heart of everything and announced plans for new vocation centres in every borough if she is elected to help them find their dream careers.

And for Hartlepool, she promised to improve transport links, including rail services.

Labour Tees Valley Mayoral candidate Jessie Joe Jacobs launching her campaign at Hartlepool College of Further Education.

She said: “I’m so ready to lead us into the future. I will deliver.”

Ms Jacobs said the region’s future lay in supporting and developing new digital and social technologies particularly those linked to the multi-billion pound health and biotech industries.

She announced a £1 million fund to support such businesses set up on Teesside.

“We must move beyond the traditional,” she said. “This place was built on radical creativity, on risk taking and innovation and this is what we will be for the 21st Century.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham (left) and the metro mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram at the campaign launch of Labour Tees Valley Mayoral candidate Jessie Joe Jacobs at Hartlepool College of Further Education.

“If you have an idea to change the world, come to Teesside.”

Ms Jacobs, hoping to beat Conservative mayor Ben Houchen, said her top priority would be tackling today’s mental health crisis by devolving powers to bring health and social care under the combined authority.

Another will be to improve transport connectivity. More details are due to be announced soon but Ms Jacobs said: “We will start here in Hartlepool, improving your connectivity through rail and to get into the rest of Teesside through that Tees crossing you have been demanding.”

She also vowed to start a region wide challenge to tackle loneliness and social isolation by involving everyone in the community; business, education, health workers and councils.

Labour Tees Valley Mayoral candidate Jessie Joe Jacobs launching her campaign at Hartlepool College of Further Education, joined by Metro Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and students showing their support.

Ms Jacobs’ campaign was supported by the metro mayor for Manchester Andy Burnham and Liverpool’s Steve Rotheram who both attended the launch in Hartlepool.

Mr Burnham said: “My message to people is elect a fighter. The North needs fighters right now. That’s what Steve and I do in Manchester and Liverpool city region and we want Jessie to join that team to get what we deserve from this government.”

Labour mayor hopeful's message to voters of Hartlepool and Tees Valley as her campaign launches