Headteachers of four academy schools in Norfolk and north Suffolk are among 18 people standing for election to a new body which will influence education in the region.

They have put themselves forward for the Regional Headteacher Board for the North East London and East of England Region.

The board is being created to advise Tim Coulson, who will soon take up his role as regional school commissioner for the region, with responsibility for tackling academy under-performance, the creation of new academies, and ensuring a strong supply of academy sponsors.

The government created the new tier of accountability because of concerns about the ability of the Department of Education to keep an eye on the almost-4,000 academies across the country.

Richard Denny, of Martham Primary School, Tony Hull, of Costessey Junior School, James McAtear, of Hartismere School in Eye, and Nicole McCartney, of Ormiston Venture Academy in Gorleston, are standing for the board.

Four members will be elected by headteachers of schools that were academies on May 1, 2014, and Dr Coulson will appoint two other people.

The result is due on July 16.

School minister Lord Nash said: 'I am confident that, with the support of outstanding headteachers, the new regional schools commissioners will help raise standards, champion academy freedoms, and ensure there is swift intervention when things go wrong.'