CHARISMATIC Mayor of Middlesbrough Ray Mallon is being lined up to front the campaign for a directly-elected assembly for the North-East, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Senior figures in the Yes 4 The North East group have confirmed they have made overtures to Mr Mallon to act as a figurehead for the campaign in the run-up to November's referendum.

The revelation comes as Mr Mallon prepares to welcome a high-powered delegation from one of the world's most successful development companies today in the hope of generating thousands of jobs for the region.

Sir John Hall, who is backing the "Yes" campaign for regional government, will be a personal guest of Mr Mallon when the delegation from Dubai is introduced to investment opportunities on Teesside.

It raises the intriguing prospect of the former detective joining forces with former Newcastle United chairman and MetroCentre developer Sir John in an independent "dream ticket" to push the case for the assembly in the north and south of the region.

Campaign managers want to overcome any perception by voters that the regional assembly will have a Tyneside bias and the recruitment of such a high-profile Teesside figure would be a major coup.

Yesterday, Sir John, who is to stand as a candidate for the assembly if the region votes in favour, and Professor John Tomaney, chair of the Yes 4 The North East campaign, confirmed they had held several meetings with Mr Mallon

Sir John said: "We have been trying to convince Ray of the merits of the Regional Assembly and he is slowly coming round to it.

"The first step we have to do is win the referendum vote and we want high-profile people to come forward to join the campaign and Ray is considering his position.

"Ray Mallon is doing a great job for Teesside and I think he would do a great job for the region."

Prof Tomaney said: "I believe that Ray could play a key role in highlighting the benefits an assembly could bring to the whole North-East."

Mr Mallon said: "I have been in discussion with Sir John and John Tomaney for some time and am impressed with them.

"This is a crucial decision for the region and I need to ensure I have all the facts at my disposal. I will make a decision in the near future."

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