PEOPLE accross the region are going to the polls to chose who will be the new West Midlands mayor.

The mayor will be elected by voters from the metropolitan boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and Walsall.

As well as chairing the West Midlands Combined Authority the mayor will have powers over housing, ransport and planning.

Here is a roundup of the candidates, votes will be counted tomorrow (Friday May 5).

Andy Street, Conservative. 

Stourbridge News:

As the former managing director of high street retail giant John Lewis he has pledged to use his business skills to help drive investment and create jobs in the region.

He also wants Birmingham to host the 2026 Commonwealth games and says he will build a West Midlands that works for everybody.

Sion Simon, Labour.

Stourbridge News:

He joined Labour when he was 16 and in 2001 was elected as the MP for Birmingham Erdington, he wants to restore pride and place as the great engine of business, jobs and opportunity in the West Midlands.

He wants to add another runway at Birmingham Airport and says he will sort out the transport system, capping bus and tram fares at £4.40 a day.

Beverley Nielsen, Liberal Democrats.

Stourbridge News:

She is West Midlands born and bred and is primarily a business woman and educator, she aims to make the West Midlands one of the best places in the UK to live, work and thrive.

Her main focuses are to tackle congestion and develop infrastructure, improve opportunities for people of all ages and give everyone access to an affordable home.

James Burn, Green Party.

Stourbridge News:

He is currently an elected councillor for Chelmsley Wood in Solihull and is the leader of the opposition on Solihull Council.

Mr Burn is opposed to HS2 because he believes it will only benefit people in London, he also want to set up a West Midlands bank to support small businesses.

Pete Durnell, UKIP.

Stourbridge News:

He is currently the chairman of UKIP’s Sandwell Branch and has lived in Warley for almost 25 years.

He wants to ensure communities and business are at the forefront of the government's high-speed fibre broadband program and focus on identifying and refurbishing empty houses.

Graham Stevenson, Communist.

Stourbridge News:

Born in Coventry and he has been a communist since he was a pupil of King Henry VIII school.

He aims to nationalise the M6 Toll Road for local benefit, create new affordable homes for local people and supports with a living wage of £10 for all.