THE region's MPs are divided between a Blairite and a friend of the trade unions in their choices to be Labour's new deputy leader.

Party chairwoman Hazel Blears and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain had received six North-East nominations by the time the process closed yesterday.

Big-hitters Alan Milburn (Darlington), Hilary Armstrong (Durham North West) and Stephen Byers (Tyneside North) have all backed Ms Blears. As an ultra-loyalist to the departing Prime Minister, who stresses the need to attract middle class voters and hold the political centre-ground, she is regarded as the Blairite candidate.

In contrast, Mr Hain has cultivated strong links with trade unions, including Aslef and the GMB, and called for a narrowing of the gap between rich and poor.

His six backers in the region include John Cummings (Easington), Frank Cook (Stockton North) and David Anderson (Blaydon).

Justice Minister Harriet Harman and Education Secretary Alan Johnson secured five nominations from the region.

Ms Harman is the favourite of Vera Baird (Redcar), Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) and Kevan Jones (Durham North).

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson, who is widely viewed as the frontrunner, was the pick of Sir Stuart Bell (Middlesbrough) and Environment Secretary David Miliband (South Shields), among others.

Tony Blair (Sedgefield), David Clelland (Tyne Bridge) and Doug Henderson (Newcastle-upon-Tyne North) all abstained from the deputy leader's race.