LABOUR yesterday said it could deliver on its manifesto pledge to bring about full employment in the North-East within the next five years.

Speaking at the party's regional manifesto launch in Durham Castle, Durham North-West candidate Hilary Armstrong told supporters that the fact that unemployment was not an issue on the doorstep was a testament to the progress the Government had made on jobs and skills since 1997.

The Government's Chief Whip said that since Labour had come to power, unemployment in the region had been halved and long-term unemployment had fallen by 88 per cent.

Ms Armstrong said: "That has had a massive effect on communities right across the region.

"We know that is not enough and there is more to do and that is why one of our commitments is to full employment in every region."

Former Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers said the party's pledge of full employment within the lifetime of the next Parliament was achievable, despite doubts being raised by Labour's opponents.

Mr Byers, who is defending the seat of North Tyneside, said: "Since Labour came to power in 1997, 46,000 jobs have been created in the North-East and youth employment, which used to be really corrosive, has been dramatically reduced by New Deal."

Mr Byers highlighted the Government's assistance to bring Nissan jobs to Wearside and argued that there would be increasing number of civil service jobs relocated from the South-East to the region.