This is what people in Sunderland wished they had the chance to say to Boris Johnson today

Boris Johnson and (clockwise from top right) Danielle Elliott, Tony Anderson, Allan Hogarth, Gabriel Petre and Clara Murry

The Prime Minister was in Sunderland along with his Cabinet to mark the day the UK leaves the EU.

He was whisked from Newcastle Airport to the University of Sunderland's Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP) where he met the University's Vice Chancellor before heading to the National Glass Centre.

When there he met selected representatives from the region including school children and apprentices.

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But beyond the police cordon which surrounds VIP visits like these, what would people in Sunderland have liked to tell him.

Tony Anderson, 77, from Monkwearmouth said he would tell him to protect the NHS. He said: "I've had three operations, I would not still be here for the NHS, I should have been gone ages ago. I would also want Boris to bring more people to the North East especially for business and for Nissan."

Gabriel Petre, 34, from Romania said he would like the Prime Minister to focus on free movement but praised Boris for his commitment to 'Brexit'. He said: "I have no political views but he has done the task [Brexit]. Now, I would tell him he has to focus on other tasks, such as businesses. As I own a small business myself there is plenty of concerns now because of Brexit. I am also concerned about people movement."

Clara Murry, 30, from the Republic of Ireland said she would tell Mr Johnson to invest in transport. She said: "I would not like to tell him what to do but I would say that he needs to look into transport, especially for the North East."

Danielle Elliot, 43, said: "I would ask him about small business and see what he is going to do about that. Also questions about manufacturing, are you going to bring it back here?"

Allan Hoggarth,62, Sunderland, said he would ask him what he would do for young people after seeing both his son's struggle to find employment. He said: "I would tell the PM to look at young people and provided something for them."

"Look at the young people, provide something for them" - this is what people in Sunderland wished they had the chance to say to Boris Johnson today