Mayors elected to run the UK's 12 largest cities outside of London could have varying degrees of power, the Government said today.

The coalition agreement set out plans for elected mayors in Newcastle, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield to take office from next May.

Leicester has already elected a candidate but the Government now wants to find out from residents of each city what power they think their newly-elected mayor should be handed, Cabinet Office Minister Greg Clark said.

In a written ministerial statement, Mr Clark said residents of each city have until January 3 to tell the Government what powers they think their elected mayor should be able to exercise.

Mr Clark said: ''The Government starts from the assumption that each of our cities is unique, facing challenges and opportunities shaped by its history and location.

''We think city mayors will be able to do their job best when their remit and powers properly match local circumstances.

''Rather than simply seeking to impose a one-size-fits-all approach, then, we think cities themselves should have a strong say over how mayors can help their city thrive.

''With this consultation, we are inviting contributions from the people who live and work in the 12 cities on which powers they believe a city mayor, where elected, should be able to exercise on their behalf.''