A NEW poll has revealed the extent of business opposition to a regional assembly.

A survey of members of the North-East Chambers of Commerce has revealed that 74pc are opposed to the idea.

Organisers say this provides even more evidence that business is overwhelmingly against the scheme.

Chief executive George Cowcher said: "The business sector was willing from the outset to listen to both sides of the debate, but it would seem there is still too little flesh on the bones of the 'Yes' campaign to convince firms that there is a tangible argument for change."

The Nesno campaign is being backed by some of the most prominent businesspeople in the area, including Sir Tom Cowie (honorary president, Arriva); Duncan Davidson (chairman of Persimmon) and Charles Enderby (managing director, Hexham Steeplechase Co).

Nesno chairman John Elliott said: "When people cast their vote they should remember that businesspeople are opposed to this assembly and it these people - not the politicians - who create jobs in this region."

The findings have been backed by a leading small business pressure group.

The Forum of Private Business chief executive Nick Goulding said his organisation had found considerable hostility to the proposals among members in the North-East.

"Many are unconvinced that what is proposed will create anything other than another layer of toothless and expensive politicians and bureaucracy," he said.

"The assembly would have no power over public services and control over less than two per cent of Government spending in the region.

"Also, small firms don't want decision-making taken away from their local councils on matters such as planning."

However, Business Yes campaigners have attacked the North-East Chamber of Commerce for its "poor methodology" in a survey among firms to ask how they would vote.

They say the chamber prefaced a referendum question with a negative interpretation of what a regional assembly could do for the business community.

Ross Forbes, director of the Yes campaign, said: "This survey is rank amateurism. It is makeshift, badly-structured and negatively presented. Any results can hardly be called scientific."

The Local Choice - Local Voice group said information provided to businesses by the Chamber was "biased and subjective".

Spokesman Alan Napier said: "The result cannot be viewed as a fair assessment of the real situation. Nor is the poll robust enough to be meaningful."

* IF the vote goes in favour of a regional assembly, businesses want a single-tier local authority.

More than two-thirds of members in County Durham who responded to a poll by the North-East Chamber of Commerce, opted for single unitary rule as the best option for business if the current hierarchy is altered.