THE region's bid to secure new civil service jobs resulting from a major Whitehall review has taken a step forward.

A website has been launched setting out the North-East's economic package to attract Government departments and agencies relocating from London and the South-East as part of the Lyons Review recommendations. The Government has pledged that 20,000 civil service jobs will be relocated to the regions by 2010.

One NorthEast is leading a regional consortium of public and private sector partners pressing the Government hard to secure as many of these jobs as possible for the region.

John Holmes, the development agency's director of regeneration and tourism, said: "The website sends out a clear message that the region is determined to win as many relocated civil service posts as possible. During our representations to Government departments and agencies in London and the South-East we have had positive feedback from senior civil servants genuinely interested in the relocation package the North-East can offer organisations and their employees.

"The North-East has to be at the front of the queue in taking its offer directly to Whitehall, which we will continue to do. If we do not seize this opportunity then other regions of the UK will."

The website has been developed in conjunction with partner organisations County Durham Development Company, Northumberland County Council, Tees Valley Regeneration, Tyne and Wear Development Company, Government Office for the North East, the North East Assembly and the Association of North East Councils.

For more information visit www.movingnortheast.co.uk