A senior councillor has criticised calls for Durham City to be the home of a North-East regional assembly.
Coun David Wright, of Alnwick District Council, said he was opposed to the concept of an assembly but insisted that if there were to be one, it should be based in a rural location.
He represented the authority last week at a meeting in Darlington, organised by the pro-assembly Yes4TheNorthEast group, and was dismayed to see Durham suggested as the ideal base.
"I represent the rural community and they may have a different view," he said.
"Durham is a lovely place and has some wonderful buildings, but equally Morpeth has the facilities and would be a good rural location. It is not a done deal."
Yes4TheNorthEast is advocating Durham and says it has the backing of a large majority of the region's councils.
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