THE North-East stands on the brink of history, with only hours to go before the polls close in the referendum on whether it should have an elected regional assembly.

A Yes vote would make the North-East the first English region to have what its advocates say is an opportunity to seize control of its economic destiny.

It would also trigger a shake-up of the local government structure in County Durham and Northumberland.

A No vote would lay the regional debate to rest for at least a generation and, according to those against the idea, would save the region from more politicians.

The results of the ballot should be announced in Sunderland at about midnight, only two hours after the polls close.

Last night, supporters of North-East Says No were predicting victory by about five per cent, although Yes4The- North-East said it was benefitting from a late surge of votes from its core support areas.

By yesterday lunchtime, more than three-quarters of a million North-Easterners had voted, making the turnout a respectable 41.5 per cent.

With people walking into their local council offices today to vote, it is expected to reach about 45 per cent by 10pm, when the polls close.

No campaign chairman John Elliott said: "While we are confident that we are going to win, we want to make this a clear No so that the politicians that have led the Yes campaign are in no doubt that their plans have been rejected."

Chairman of the Yes lobby Professor John Tomaney said: "We remain confident that the people of the North-East want a strong voice and greater control over their future and will therefore vote Yes.

"We are fighting for every vote, and the indications are that it is swinging in our direction."

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, who last month campaigned with the Prime Minister for a Yes vote, yesterday appeared to suggest in the Commons that Mr Blair would be to blame were the region to reject the assembly because he failed to enthusiastically endorse the campaign.

However, Mr Blair used the occasion to make a last-minute call in support of the assembly.

He said: "It is most important that North-East voters take this opportunity to go out and vote Yes."