Buckinghamshire can be part of an economic powerhouse on a par with Manchester if it exploits its alliance with three neighbouring counties, council leaders insist.

An alliance of counties calling itself ‘England’s Economic Heartland’ will press central government for greater control over what happens close to home.

Buckinghamshire is part of the tri-county group seeking new devolved powers to bring prosperity to the region.

Bucks, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire will push for a five-year Growth Deal from Westminster to boost growth by a further £9bn each year.

Leader of the Council Martin Tett, recently voted back into the role, told the BFP earlier this month of his plans for greater devolution on a county and tri-county level.

And the county council cabinet will hear a report on June 1 about how the alliance plans to properly integrate infrastructure projects across county borders and save money by reducing bureaucratic red tape.

Cllr Tett said: "Buckinghamshire is ready to play an even greater role on the world economic stage.

“Being part of England’s Economic Heartland with Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire, means that we form one of the major powerhouses of the UK economy, generating worth that is close to that of Manchester.

“But we believe that together, we can further build on our competitiveness in global markets with this innovative new model.

"We want to enhance the area's reputation as a serious destination for the new economy industries and their employees, families and supply chains.

"This is in no way a merger of the county councils: while the counties will work together on strategic issues each authority will be a distinct entity and they will retain their roles and responsibilities in local issues."

The alliance believes a Growth Deal can bring together the various funding streams available for strategic projects and economic growth.

Already boasting a £46.6bn economy, the alliance says England’s Economic Heartland is looking to swell growth by a further £9bn each year, creating at least 135,000 new jobs by 2020.

Each of the three counties will work together with its respective local enterprise partnership on growth plans.

The proposals build on the work which has taken place since December last year when Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire declared their intentions of this unified strategic approach at a launch event at Silverstone.