PEOPLE in the North-East suffer from a great lack of self-confidence and are far too self-critical for their own good.

That was the consensus at a conference this week when the image of the North-East came under the spotlight.

The event, co-ordinated by regional development agency One NorthEast and the North-East Regional Assembly, was attended by more than 100 people from business, politics, education, churches and community groups.

It was the first in a series that will be held across the region to gather views on the North-East's image. Ultimately, findings will be incorporated into One NorthEast's regional image strategy, to be issued in 2001. This strategy will establish the image on which the North-East will promote itself to the rest of the country.

Sunderland-born BBC correspondent Kate Adie told the gathering that the region lacked confidence and was very self-critical.

Television presenter Michael Rodd, who hails from Whitley Bay, echoed this, saying that the region's people are too modest and often talk about what's wrong with the region without touching on its strengths.

"Our greatest strength is our diversity," he said. "This is a region of sub-regions, rural and city people, and different community groups.

"We do lots of different things and we do them well. Whatever you are looking for you will find it in the North-East," he continued. "In fact, this is probably the most diverse region in the UK."

He said there were many different perspectives and views presented at the conference. However, "one thing that was clear was despite the different views no one was comfortable promoting something that isn't real. The image projected has got to be based on what the North-East is about."