THIS newspaper believes passionately that the North-East deserves a better deal than it gets.

For far too long, the region has suffered from decisions - or lack of them - taken hundreds of miles away by politicians and bureaucrats who have only a flimsy understanding of its needs.

The on-going outrage of the Barnett Formula - the woefully outdated system of targeting Government grants which discriminates against the North-East - is a prime example.

That is why we have supported the principle of regional assemblies on the grounds that the North-East would have more relevant government and a stronger voice in running its own affairs.

We are encouraged by the early signals that the North-East's regional assembly would be based in Durham City, as The Northern Echo has repeatedly said it should be.

Sensitivities about a bias towards Newcastle have not been eased by the regional development agency, One NorthEast, and if the whole region is to get behind this new way, there has to be an acceptance that life goes on beyond the southern end of the Tyne Bridge.

Durham's location and regional appeal as a tourist centre make it the ideal compromise and we will continue to support the city's case as a headquarters.

But despite our general support for the concept of regional assemblies, it does not come without reservations.

Despite years spent preparing the ground for yesterday's White Paper, confusion still surrounds the detail, and a huge task remains to convince people that the benefits will be tangible and make up for the loss of county or district councils.

What we do not need is another "talking shop" layer of bureaucracy providing a safe haven for run-of-the-mill politicians.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has promised that the assemblies would have "real power and funding to improve the quality of life of people in the region".

Grand words, but what would be the point of it all otherwise? Forgive us Mr Prescott, but political promises do not always become reality.

This must not be change for the sake of change - but change for the sake of meaningful and unequivocal progress.