A GROUP of the region's leading academics have come out in favour of a Yes vote in the regional assembly referendum.

A total of 51 senior figures from all five of the North-East's universities yesterday declared their support for Yes4theNorth-East, includ- ing ethics expert Tom Shakespeare, of Newcastle University, and leading social scientist Professor Tim Blackman, of Durham University.

Sociologist Professor David Byrne, also of Durham University, said: "I see great advantages to an elected North-East assembly, which could help us focus on the regeneration of the region, especially by helping to provide opportunities for our young people."

The news came on the day that YoungPeople4Yes - the youth group of the Yes campaign - was launched at Sunderland University.

It also coincided with the publication of figures from the Office of National Statistics that showed the North-East remained the poor relation of the UK. Figures showed that output per head is 70 per cent higher in London than in the North-East.

Youngeople4Yes member Damian Lee, who is unemployed despite holding a masters degree, said: "I am in the same position that many young people in the region are in and that is we have left university, college or school with good qualifications and can't find meaningful employment.

"I believe a North-East regional assembly will create more quality jobs for young people like myself and provide us with a unique opportunity to shape our own future."

Yes4theNorth-East campaign director Ross Forbes added: "Simple maths show that each and every year, the gap between the North-East and the rest of the country will get bigger and bigger.

"However, we believe a North-East regional assembly will be able to reverse this trend. It would be able to focus spending on local priorities and directly tackle the causes of slow economic growth that are currently hampering the region."