NORTH-EAST businessmen and politicians are backing proposals for the powers that a regional assembly would have.

Pro-assembly campaigners said last week's Draft Regional Assemblies Bill outlined an increased range of responsibilities in areas such as skills and training, transport, housing, economic development and small businesses.

At the weekend, they met in Durham to discuss the next stages of their campaign ahead of November's referendum.

Professor John Tomaney, chairman of Yes4theNorthEast, said: "We've had time to look at the details and we now know that what is on offer to a regional assembly, giving it the power to change people's lives across the North-East for the better.

"Our job now is to ensure that we let the North-East public know just how an assembly could help them and the regional economy."

Among the supporters of the proposed assemblies is Swan Hunter commercial director Norman Brownell. He said: "The fact that the proposed assembly will have substantial powers to tackle issue like skills and training, transport and economic development, means it will be able to make a real impact on the future of the region's economy."

Alan Beith, Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick, said: "A North-East regional assembly will give the whole region a powerful voice on a UK, European and world stage.

Kevin Rowan, regional director of the TUC, said: "The powers on offer to a North-East Regional Assembly, notably on skills and transport, offer the prospect of real change for the North-East."

But opponents, the North-East Says No and North-East No Campaign, say it would be an expensive talking shop with no extra power or money to make a real difference.

Neil Herron, director of the North-East No Campaign, has described it as an "absolute shambles" and is concerned at the prospect of postal voting for the referendum following problems during June's council and European elections.