A TORY "trade union" of Northern MPs is being launched to put pressure on Downing Street to deliver on its promises to the region, organisers said.

Some 27 Conservative MPs are involved in the Northern Research Group, which is led by Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry.

The former northern powerhouse minister told BBC Radio 4's The Week in Westminster: "It's almost like a sort of trade union for northern MPs, where we can use our collective muscle and bargaining power together, to make sure that we get the best possible deal on a pan-northern basis.

"This isn't about giving Government a bad time, but there are arguments that we collectively as northern MPs make together, to create a compelling case for the Government to invest in the north, making sure that this Government delivers on its promise to 'level up' the north, deliver that northern powerhouse and create wealth across the north of England."

Mr Berry added: "We don't form a government unless we win the north."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson achieved the commanding 80-seat Tory majority in the December general election by taking a swathe of seats from Labour's traditional "red wall" across the north of England.