A WRITER, artist, singer or an actor should be commissioned as a regional laureate to raise the North-East's cultural profile and lobby for devolution.

That is the view of a Cleveland writer who is backing the Campaign for a North-East Assembly's call for a northern laureate.

Andy Croft, of Linthorpe, is writer-in-residence at Holme House Prison, in Stockton, and has held initial talks with Northern Arts about the laureate idea.

For many years, Dr Croft lectured at the Leeds University Centre in Middlesbrough. He is well-known in Cleveland literary circles, was poet-in-residence for the Great North Run 2000 and has been involved in numerous literary events and publishing projects.

Speaking to the D&S Times about the laureate idea, he emphasised his belief that ordinary people should vote for their representative - not politicians.

It was important that a laureate represented the whole region, not just Tyneside. He suggested a short list be drawn up and telephone polling system used to choose a laureate, similar to the hugely successful TV programme Pop Idol.

"The best way of talking about regional identities is through the arts - not politicians. If we leave the devolution debate to them, it will be dead, certainly on Teesside.

"A Government white paper on devolution is due out soon and the region needs to start thinking about itself. People have a strong sense of local community and history, but not so much of their regional identity. Or, if they do, it's not often articulated.

"We have tribal identities around football clubs but maybe there are other identities? There's more to the North-East than FA Cup defeats and brown ale.

"When thinking about a regional laureate, I originally thought about a poet. But it might be sensible to include other artists. A singer-songwriter, for example."

He recalled Scottish artists playing a key role in developing a modern identity for Scotland after referenda outcomes against devolution in the Seventies.

"Through culture, Scotland built up such a head of steam that Whitehall had to concede. The arts were at the forefront of change.

"But the situation is the opposite in the North-East. If we leave the devolution discussions to politicians, it'll be an absolute switch-off for the public.

He was wary of Newcastle's traditional dominance of regional media and arts.

"A laureate must not be a voice just for Tyneside. We want someone who can speak for the whole region. If it's just a Geordie voice, it will fail," he stressed. Did he have any candidates in mind?

"Well, we have some fantastic photographers and people like Robson Green, the actor. He is a bit like a roving ambassador for the North-East. He's incredibly popular, but that's partly because he's a celebrity. He's well-known for his general acting, rather than for any particular work about the North-East.

"Someone like Tony Harrison could be good. He's from Yorkshire, but I think he's lived in Newcastle for a long time. He's an outsider, which can be helpful. But he is a fantastic poet, who understands history and community. He has also written for public purposes.

"I'm sure D&S Times readers will have plenty of candidates for the job," suggested Mr Croft.

It was too early to say how a laureate post would be funded, but he was optimistic about initial discussions.

Joyce Qui MP and Jarrow-born playwright, Alan Plater, have also backed the idea.

The Campaign for a North-East Assembly can be contacted on 0191 265 8158. Robbie MacDonald