A NEW campaign for a North-East regional assembly is being backed by famous actors and the Bishop of Durham.

Following the recent publication of a Government White Paper on devolution of power to the regions, a broad coalition has been formed to press for a yes vote in a North-East devolution referendum.

The campaign, called North-East Ready to Go, includes North-East actors Tim Healy and Denise Welch, the Bishop of Durham and business leader Bill Midgley.

Figures from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens have been joined by people from various walks of life in supporting an initiative by the Campaign for a North-East Assembly (CNA).

The CNA will formally approach the political parties, trade unions, and a wide range of other organisations in coming weeks to seek their support for the move.

Brian Hall, coordinator of the CNA, said: ''This is just the beginning. Our message is that any individual or group that supports elected regional government for the North- East is more than welcome to join us.''

Mr Hall said the campaign would also encourage the formation of groups from ethnic minorities, artists, young people, health workers, disability groups, environmentalists and a wide range of other sectors to support the idea of devolution.

''This is the beginning of an exciting period and historic period for the North-East. We expect to see the campaign grow and grow."

A formal launch of the campaign will be made this summer.

* The full list of people who have signed up to the campaign is: Joyce Quin MP, David Clelland MP, Dari Taylor MP, Frank Cook MP, Chris Mullin MP, Derek Foster MP, Ronnie Campbell MP, Denis Murphy MP, Alan Beith MP, Gordon Adam MEP, Chris Foote-Wood - president of the Northern Region Liberal Democrats, Nick Best - Green Party spokesperson, David Walsh - leader of Redcar and Cleveland borough Council, Bill Midgley - North-East business leader, Right Reverend Michael Turnbull - Bishop of Durham, Professor Tim Blackman - Teesside academic, Geraldine Ormonde - chairman of the NECC Women's Forum, Dr Helen Groom GP, Dr Joyce Liddle - Durham University business academic, Dr Wendy Ross GP, Sally Young - health development manager, Suzanne Fletcher - NECC Women's Forum, Paul Tinnion - North-East Cooperative Party, Charley Hall - North-East Pensioners' Association, Dick Godfrey - freelance journalist, Bob Davis - Trade Films, Alan Plater - playwright, Tim Healy - actor, Denise Welch - actor, Andy Croft - Teesside poet, Peter Stark - North-East cultural academic, David Simpson - regional historian, Professor John Tomaney - devolution academic, Bahal Singh - ethnic community leader, Gill Hale - secretary of North East Chamber of Commerce, Joe Mills - former chairman of the Northern Regional Labour Party, Brian Hall - coordinator of the CNA, Dr Bill Lancaster - historian, Ian Mearns - chairman of CNA, Professor Howard lcock - academic, Don Price - Campaign for the English Regions, Ian Daley - convenor of Unison Northern Region, Gordon Kerr - North-East regional council, Richard Simpson - Charter '88