Millions of tonnes of industrial carbon emissions could be stored under the North Sea, a major study has proposed.

Liquefied carbon dioxide would be pumped into depleted gas fields where impervious rock would stop it escaping.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, which is behind the £2bn plan, said it would take 20 years to develop, but would create hundreds of jobs.

"The region has a unique opportunity to become a global leader in tackling climate change," a spokesman said.