From Brendan Foster, managing irector of Newcastle-based Nova International, organisers of the Great North Run.

"If you look at the map, the North-East is an island, surrounded by beautiful countryside, and that gives the region its identity.

However, a very big drawback is that it is a very long way from the main decision-making process.

So, I am hugely in favour of regional government because the Government has said that we can have a say in shaping our destiny.

I do not want people to just return a 51 per cent vote in favour, it has to be at least a 75 per cent turnout with a large majority in favour. We need to give this idea a resounding yes vote. The alternative is a low turnout and a no vote which means the Government can say "we gave you a chance but you were not interested in the future of the North-East". Tony Blair - and I have talked to him about this - is saying "if you want this opportunity, you can have it".

I know people are saying "what kind of powers should the regional assembly have?" but I believe that is phase two.

Phase one is to secure a yes vote without burdening ourselves with the details. Once we have done that we can work on the detail and be in a position to effect change.

I believe that the regional assembly should take on the powers held by Government in regenerating the region and bringing employment. It should also be financed by central Government.

My gut instinct is that the current situation does not work, that centralised government has not worked.

What the Prime Minister is offering us is the chance to do something to change it. And I would rather be run by an elected government than a series of unelected quangos.

It annoys me when I hear people say that the North-East does not have the politicians to make this work.

We have local politicians like Tony Blair, Alan Milburn and Stephen Byers, who have risen to represent us on the national stage, and local politicians who have shown a high level of talent in local government. It is an insult to them to say that they cannot run a regional assembly.

When it comes to what form of local government we have after a regional assembly is introduced, I worked in local government but I cannot see the point of having a district and county council.

Unitary councils work well. Gateshead council has shown that in the terrific job it has done over the last 30 years.

One level of local government coupled with a regional assembly will suffice for the people of this region to have a say in their own future."