A consultation on the future political structure of Sunderland City Council draws to a close today.

It is the last chance that thousands of people in the city have to voice their opinion on the system of operation that will be introduced next year.

All councils are being modernised by the Government in an attempt to make decision-making faster, more efficient and, ministers say, more accountable.

The three options are a leader and cabinet - the system that people in most other areas prefer - a US-style elected mayor and cabinet and an elected mayor and council manager.

In Sunderland, residents have been able to state their preference through the post, on the council's website or in a video booth that has toured the city and surrounding towns, such as Washington and Hetton-le-Hole.

The council will look at the results of the consultation, decide which option it will go for and then draw up its own proposals, which will be sent for Government approval during the summer