Visitors to English cities and regions may be subject to a new tourist tax aimed at funding local projects.

Mayors are set to receive the authority to levy a "modest" charge on guests staying in hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and holiday rentals.

This measure has been advocated by regional leaders such as London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham and West of England's Helen Godwin.

However, a hospitality industry body has criticised the move as "damaging".

Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said: "Tourists travel from near and far to visit England's brilliant cities and regions.

"We're giving our mayors powers to harness this and put more money into local priorities, so they can keep driving growth and investing in these communities for years to come."

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