The phoney war over the proposed regional assembly came to an abrupt end yesterday with the official launch of the Yes 4 The North-East campaign. Tony Kearney watched the opening round of what promises to be a keenly-fought tussle

THE campaign for the regional assembly got under way yesterday with a slick launch emphasising North-East pride - but it appears the campaign managers still have some way to go if they are to overcome the prejudices of ordinary voters.

The Yes 4 The North-East campaign fired the opening salvo in the battle to win November's referendum with a celebrity launch in front of supporters from the world of politics, sport and business.

In a curious mixture of ancient and modern, the rafters and the stained glass of Durham's Town Hall - home to the great and the good of North-East politics for centuries - echoed to a booming soundtrack by M People over stirring video images of the North-East and the repeated slogan Be Proud, Be Positive.

Before the launch, celebrity supporters, including Sir John Hall, Brendan Foster and opera star Suzannah Clarke took to the Market Place in Durham City to put the case to ordinary voters.

If the campaign managers hoped that associating the region's success stories to their cause would win over wavering voters, it was a strategy that appeared to be working.

Watching was Anne Jones, of Ferryhill. "I have a great respect for Sir John Hall and if he's in favour of it, then I'm in favour of it," she said.

Sir John, who will stand as an Independent candidate for the assembly if it wins support at the referendum, said: "This is a one-off opportunity for the people of the North-East and I firmly believe that it is vital for the future of the region that we grasp it with both hands.

"It is about having a say in your own affairs. I am standing as a candidate and I wouldn't join something which was a talking shop. I don' t think everything about the proposed assembly is perfect. It's a challenge, but I am prepared to make a go of it."

The launch comes on the back of a poll conducted by ICM on behalf of the yes campaign, which showed 48 per cent of voters in favour, 27 per cent against and 25 per cent undecided. The poll also discovered support for the assembly was strongest in County Durham and among the under-30s.

Campaign chairman Professor John Tomaney added: "We are really encouraged by the results of the poll. It is an indication of where we are but it is also an indication we have a lot more to do to persuade people."

Olympic hero Brendan Foster argued the assembly would give the region an equal seat at the table with London, Wales and Scotland and Suzannah Clarke argued the chance for an assembly may never come again.

But even as supporters filed out of the oak-panelled hall, there were signs that there is much to be done to enthuse an electorate suspicious the assembly will be made up of the current great and the good.

Outside in the Market Place, the real focus of attention seemed to be a team of promotions girls from a bread manufacturer, who were handing out free loaves. The fear among voters seemed to be that, when it comes to real power, Westminster is only handing out crumbs.

"From what I understand, all the major things are still going to be run by the Government from London," said William May, 66, of Newton Hall.

Encouragement for the Yes campaign came from Jean Ormiston, 71, of Carrville, near Durham, who said: "I have never even heard of it, but it sounds on the face of it like quite a good thing."