CHARLES Kennedy has urged the North-East's Labour MPs to examine their consciences and help defeat Tony Blair's plans for £3,000-a-year top-up fees.

The Liberal Democrat leader used his close-of-conference speech in Brighton yesterday to appeal to potential Labour rebels to stand alongside his party in a looming Commons vote.

The Government faces possible defeat in the coming months, with 139 Labour backbenchers having signed a parliamentary motion calling for the fees proposal to be scrapped. They include Bill Etherington (Sunderland North), Kevan Jones (Durham North), Ashok Kumar (Middlesborough South and East Cleveland) and Gerry Steinberg (City of Durham).

The MPs fear annual fees of up to £3,000, from 2006, will create a two-tier system, with students from poorer backgrounds too scared of crippling debt to apply to the best universities.

Mr Blair has tried to buy off the rebels in recent weeks by pledging lower fees and extra bursaries for youngsters from poorer backgrounds.

Targeting Labour MPs from the conference stage, Mr Kennedy said: "I urge you to examine your consciences.

"Listen to your constituents and join us in the division lobbies of the House of Commons in defeating, once and for all, Tony Blair's bad idea for top-up fees to be applied to the students of this country."

Ministers argue that fees are desperately needed to fund universities properly and allow them to match academic pay and research funds abroad.

But critics insist the funding gap should be plugged either through a graduate tax or from general taxation.

It is thought Mr Blair could avoid a vote on top-up fees at Labour's conference in Bournemouth next week, in the face of probable defeat.

During a 50-minute speech, Mr Kennedy said the Lib Dems success in snatching control of Durham City Council in May showed Labour had no strongholds it could take for granted.

He said the Lib Dems had an unprecedented opportunity, with the country now nearing the "post-Blair era" and the Tories "paralysed by feuds and rifts".

Mr Kennedy also launched a bid for the "grey vote" by appointing a taskforce to champion the concerns of older people.

Party strategists believe there are many votes to be picked up among pensioners, who have been hardest hit by soaring council tax levels and charges for long-term care.

Mr Kennedy hinted that people in their late 50s and 60s should be allowed to work part time while drawing part of their pension.