THE North-East will be allowed to hold a ballot on setting up a mini-Parliament to run the region, according to a leading campaigner.

Labour MP Joyce Quin's prediction came as the Queen gave her assent to legislation paving the way for referendums on regional government in England.

Campaigners for Yorkshire and Humberside are also confident their region will be allowed to voted on an elected assembly, though this is seen as less likely.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will finish assessing the strength of support for elected assemblies in the English regions next Friday and is due to make a decision on the first wave of ballots in June.

The first polls will take place about 18 months after Mr Prescott makes his decision.

Ms Quin said: "Though people in the region have not gone into the details of the debate, I believe there is a strong attachment to the region."

The Regional Assembly Assemblies (Preparations) Act was amended during its journey through Parliament to allow for county councils to be kept on after a regional assembly is set up.

Ministers want there to be just one layer of local government to allay fears of red-tape.

Under previous plans, counties would have been carved up and single tier - or unitary - local government put in their place.

Now, voters will be able to choose if they want counties to be the unitary authority.

Ms Quin, MP for Gateshead, welcomed the removal of what she described as an "objection-able" part of the legislation that would have meant voters in towns and cities deciding on the shape of rural councils.

Regional Assemblies will have similar responsibilities as the Greater London Authority in transport, housing, economic development and environmental protection and will be funded through a precept on the council tax.