THE region will bounce back quickly from the credit crunch with new jobs already being found for ex-Northern Rock staff, the ‘Minister for the North-East’ predicted yesterday.

Nick Brown, who is also the deputy chief whip, delivered an upbeat verdict on the region’s economic prospects at the launch of a ‘green manifesto’ by the Association of North East Councils (ANEC).

But he warned the North-East would pay a heavy price if sniping about Gordon Brown’s leadership let in the Tories - and a return to the misery of the 1980s.

Mr Brown told the gathering, at the Manchester conference: “We need to do the right thing by the people at Northern Rock who have lost their job. They are able people, reliable people.

“The regional economy is proving strong enough to provide alternative employment, mainly in financial services. That didn’t happen by chance, but because of hard work by the regional development agency and private-sector partners.”

On the future for the North-East, Mr Brown said: “These are difficult times, but they won’t last very long. We are poised to get back on track quickly.

“The worst thing we can do is go about moaning. We need to get behind the government, which is the overwhelming view of delegates here. We have got an enormous amount to lose if the government fell.”

The comments came as the ANEC launched an ambitious 30-page prospectus designed to make the North-East the nation’s leader in combining economic growth with action to tackle climate change.

It champions the region as a key location for new industries designed to hit a target of 20 per cent of energy produced from renewable sources by 2020 - ahead of the UK target of 15 per cent.

Among the successes it highlights are: * Flourishing ‘green industries’ in the Tees Valley, including two major biofuel plants and Europe’s largest bio-ethanol plant at Wilton, near Redcar.

* The recently-established carbon capture storage research group, in Durham University, to push forward ‘cleaner coal’ technology.

* Stockton Borough Council’s target to cut energy consumption by 25 per cent over five years, with heating in its offices reduced and software to turn off all computers at 8pm.

In particular, the manifesto recognises waste management and recycling as a key challenge, alongside sustainable procurement, transport and environmental protection.