THE North has again been highlighted as the poor cousin to the South.

An annual survey which is carried out by the National Statistics Office has identified health and wealth disparities placing the region poles apart from London and the South-East.

Average weekly incomes in that region are one-and-a-half times that of households in the North-East.

Death rates from lung cancer and heart attacks are still higher generally in the North.

The gap between house prices is growing still further - a rise of 17 per cent in the 12 months, compared with increases of between six per cent and seven per cent in the North-East and Yorkshire for the same period.

The editor of the regional trends survey, Gwyneth Edwards, said: "The survey shows there is still a North-South divide, which remains fairly stable.

"Some things are improving - the mortality rate gap is narrowing and hospital waiting lists are shorter in the North.

"But we don't expect a sudden change in the trend, with the gap getting much narrower or opening up further."

The survey further bolsters demands in the North for the Government to redress the balance.

Mike Collier, chief executive of development agency One NorthEast, said: "The figures reveal the reality that faces the region. We are behind in terms of gross domestic product per head, average weekly incomes, educational achievement and a host of other indicators.

"It is precisely for this reason that One NorthEast and all its partners are working to buck the trends.