A £600 million upgrade to rail infrastructure in the north of England is due to start today.

Chancellor George Osborne will cut the red ribbon on the works at Manchester Airport, in a programme that will connect hundreds of miles of towns and cities.

The government says the five-year project will create 20,000 jobs and boost the northern economy by billions of pounds.

"Each part of this project…will help us build the infrastructure we need to compete in the global race,” said Mr Osborne.

"This investment will ensure growth is not concentrated in any one place by keeping Britain connected and creating thousands of local jobs, delivering a brighter economic future for the whole country."

The first phase is a £20 million upgrade to the rail link at Manchester Airport.

The Northern Hub is one of the government's top priorities as set out in the National Infrastructure Plan.