A town council leader will put the case for a Regional Assembly on BBC 2's The Politics Show today.

Councillor Bernard Lamb, leader of Ferryhill Town Council, was filmed talking to reporter Laura Kuenssberg yesterday in the council's award-winning E Caf.

He sees a Yes vote as an opportunity for town and parish councils around the region to develop their services.

He said: "We are the sector of local government closest to the people and are most responsive to their needs, we are therefore in favour of unitary government for the area.

"The new principle authority will pass to us more local services whilst they concentrate on the strategic issues, this can only be good news for the local people"

The Politics Show is broadcast live from Durham at 11.30am.

Published: 26/10/2004