SNP former first minister Alex Salmond said the "Scottish lion had roared across the country" after his party's dramatic election success.

Across the border, the concessions now likely to be handed to the Scots mean there are fears the animal's bad breath could leave a nasty stink in the towns, cities and villages of the North-East.

The SNP's triumph - which saw the party win 56 of the country's 59 seats - means the Government will struggle to ignore their demands for new powers, including the ability to set air passenger duty and corporation tax.

Ted Salmon, chair of the North-East branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, believes the region will need to work very hard to ensure the playing field for investment and economic development remains level.

"There is a real danger for this region with the concessions they're going to get and we need to shout loudly to ensure they consider what the implications are south of the border.

"There's a risk we could be the meat in the sandwich between the Scottish devo-max and George Osborne's Northern Powerhouse which will predominately mean Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds - we need to make sure some of that comes to us too."

Ross Smith, director of policy at the North East Chamber of Commerce, said the group's members were pleased there had been a decisive victory with one party seizing a majority, rather than the uncertainty of parties scrabbling around to form a coalition.

He added, however, that the Prime Minister must still deliver on potentially contentious decisions with a small majority, including the EU referendum.

“Although we welcome the Conservative Party’s pro-business measures and their commitment to investment in infrastructure, concerns remain around their approach to housing, energy and most notably the EU.

“Devolution to the North-East also remains a significant issue. The result in Scotland will absolutely raise questions over the constitution and it is vital that the North-East does not lose its voice.

“In the interest of regional economy the Conservative government and Labour leaders in local areas must work together.”

Jonathan Blackie, from the Department of Social Sciences at Northumbria University, described the SNP's rise in Scotland as an "avalanche that nobody expected."

He also highlighted the concerns that the SNP's success could damage this region, however he believes the North-East must look to the positives.

"Our work suggests that we the North-East has grown apart from Scotland - Scotland has looked inward and the North-East has looked towards London.

"The challenge is to find ways to work together collaboratively. Is it a border or is it a bridge between the two countries? Looking positively, it can be a bridge."

The North East Party, which wants to see a devolution North-East government, had four candidates standing, all but one of whom came last in their respective ballots.

But party leader Hilton Dawson said there was still a big appetite for greater powers to be handed to the region.

"It's absolutely imperative that the Government is pressurised into delivering the same sort of funding, powers and opportunities as the people in Scotland have.

"The rise of the SNP means there are enormous opportunities, but there are also great challenges."

Others believe the Conservative victory heralds far greater threats to the North-East than the SNP.

Christian Schneider, a lecturer at Durham University, claims the outcome could be "devastating" for the region.

"The Government is going to make even more spending cuts and this region is likely to be one of the areas hardest hit.

"The North-East has a large number of people dependant on benefits payments and these are likely to be reduced. The NHS has also faced a financial squeeze and this is set to continue."

Bill Dixon, Labour leader of Darlington Borough Council, said he feared for the future of local government, if public sector cuts were to continue at the same, or greater, level.

"Few, if any, councils can sustain a further five years of cuts. We're already at the stage where 60 per cent of our funding is spent on maintaining adult and children's social care."

Cllr Dixon said this meant there was no money left for other services, including leisure and economic development.

"Unless there's a sea-change it's going to make things very difficult," he added.