A union chief believes the North-East workforce remains the country's poor relation in the pay stakes.

The region's biggest union, the GMB, claims the "scourge" of low pay is hitting the pockets of North-East workers.

GMB regional secretary Kevin Curran said figures contained in the Government Office of National Statistics' New Earnings Survey reveal the North-East continues to suffer a "low pay epidemic".

Thousands of North-East workers are said to earn more than £100 less than the UK average.

Mr Curran said the statistics pinpoint Darlington and Northumberland as particular "low pay hotspots", only marginally above the seaside resort of Blackpool and Cornwall.

Redcar and Cleveland is highlighted as the only district in the region where earnings are comparable to the UK average.

"These figures reveal that pay levels in the North-East still lag behind the rest of the country," said Mr Curran.

"This situation is unacceptable and the GMB wants to address this problem as a matter of urgency." He called for increased levels of Government funding to help develop a "world class" manufacturing sector in the region.

Mr Curran said the GMB believes the regional development agency, One NorthEast, should receive extra funding to provide support and map out a long-term future for manufacturing.

The union would also like to see employers working with the GMB to address a basic skills requirement, while levels of public sector pay should be increased to catch up with recent rises in the private sector.

"The GMB believes the North-East can lead the way in providing quality public services and a world class manufacturing sector," said Mr Curran.

"However, we must begin to address the scandalous levels of pay in parts of the region if we are to achieve this. I urge employers to join with the GMB in stamping out low pay in the region."

The union based its findings on average pay levels for every local authority area outlined in the survey.