WE have always taken the view that Durham City is the only feasible option as the home of a North-East regional assembly.

Just as York would be the best option for a Yorkshire assembly, Durham has the necessary combination of gravitas, history and strategic positioning.

It is therefore of great significance that the leaders of the North-East's local authorities - from Teesside to Tyneside - have backed Durham's case.

Of course, it is true that the argument in favour of regional assemblies is a long way from being won. Between now and the vote on November 4, the debate needs fully to engage the people of the Northern regions in a way which it has so far failed to do.

But Neil Herron, director of the North-East No Campaign, is wrong when he says that the location of the assemblies is irrelevant until after the referendum.

The choice of location is integral to the debate. The idea of regional assemblies in Newcastle or Leeds would be a turn-off for many who may be minded to vote "yes" if home rule was guaranteed to be centred in Durham or York.

The people of the North-East and Yorkshire must know exactly what they are voting for: the detailed powers of the assemblies, the cost and the location.

There is a long way to go but the endorsement of Durham by the leaders of local authorities across the North-East - including Newcastle City Council - is an important step towards providing that clarity.