South Shields will play host to the Advanced Manufacturing Forum’s (AMF) transport event on December 17th, it has been confirmed.

The event aims to look at how the region can improve its transport links, especially by sea and air, to help boost local businesses and the wider economy.

To this end, the forum will feature guest speakers from Newcastle International Airport and the Port of Tyne.

New direct flights from Newcastle to New York are set to start running in May 2015. The flights will take place five times a week until September, with potential to expand the option if it proves popular.

The Port of Tyne is also hoping to capitalise on the latest projects to improve the A1 and A19 to boost both freight and passenger vessels.

Ian Fawdon, chair of the AMF, said the event was well-timed, since transport is currently a “hot topic”. He said that mainstream political debate was now concerned with “outlining how vital transport links are to the economic growth and development of the north-east”.