MOVES to bring Government and other institutions to the region could do away with groups such as One NorthEast and take power away from London.

Such moves are vital in order to end the North-South divide, according to a leading North-East academic.

Professor Ash Amin, head of geography at Durham University, said there could be tremendous spin-offs for the local economy and a positive "snowball- effect".

And it may not only be the big cities that would cash in, but smaller areas such as Darlington and Middlesbrough.

Prof Amin, the co-author of a report by think-tank Catalyst that suggests relocating Government departments away from London as well as sports stadiums and international airports, said national policy remained South-East-oriented, despite efforts to present a counter balance.

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo launched its Devolve to Darlington campaign in response to the Lyons review, which is looking at moving civil servants away from Whitehall.

Prof Amin said: "Regional problems will never be resolved unless there is a significant and demonstrative decentralisation of power.

"A lot of national policies are South-East-oriented and, in the minds of the Government, they develop a London-centric view of the whole nation.

"Just establishing regional development agencies and regional assemblies is not good enough."

Prof Amin said moving something such as the Department of Trade and Industry to an area such as the North-East, given its recent manufacturing industry problems, would be of symbolic importance.

"Having high-ranking and middle-ranking officials in the region would bring a local and regional sensibility in the way that they view the industrial geography of Britain.

"There would also be related spin-offs for the economy and a regeneration angle.

"Once people had finished their stints with government, they might then go into senior management posts in the area and bring their skills with them.

"Once the process is set in motion, you could have all sorts of institutions following suit, charities and other bodies moving to the regions.

"Smaller towns like Darlington could benefit, but that would depend on the assets, skills and competencies that they could offer.

"You might well find that if the quality of life is very good, that would also be another attracting factor.

"Places like Darlington and Middlesbrough could start making links with other towns across the country with their new status, and a whole range of new possibilities could open up."

He said development agencies such as One NorthEast could become "a bit of a sideshow", and he also cast doubt on the usefulness of a directly elected assembly for the North-East.

He said: "As far as the RDAs are concerned, they are competing against each other and only have limited funding.

"It is a zero-sum policy and RDAs may eventually end up being a bit of a sideshow.

"With regional assemblies, the lion's share of national power stays in London and the South-East.

"They will only have very limited powers and could develop into a small inward-looking political elite, with the real decisions being made somewhere else.

"It is a bit like saying to the regions 'here is an organisation for you to sort out your own business, while central government will see to the business of the nation and the London and the South-East'."

Resources we need are on our doorstep

CONSERVATORY maker Amdega is a business born and bred in Darlington.

Adrian Jackson, managing director, said: "We have been drawing upon local means for 130 years and have successfully led, and continue to lead, the specialist conservatory market as a result. Our name is known around the world and our products award-winning.

"Our manufacturing process requires a wide range of resources, all of which Amdega has been able to find within - and immediately around - the Darlington community.

"All employees and many key suppliers are local, the multitude of businesses in the Tees Valley affording access to a wide variety of skills and relevant materials.

"Recently, with the company responding to the wider needs of the market, Amdega has been sourcing a less traditional expertise, namely telemarketing.

"We have in the last year been able to establish a call centre with experienced telesales operators, all of whom have been recruited locally.

"Access to good transport links is vital for Amdega, and being so close to the A1(M) and the A66 has allowed us to become a national and international business."

Transport network is ideal for us

HEALTH and beauty chain Savers grew from small beginnings in the North-East, and now has 307 stores across the UK.

The firm bases its warehousing, distribution and administration functions in Darlington, where it employs 200 people out of a nationwide workforce of 3,500.

Retail operations director Kevin Caven said despite the company's growth, Darlington continued to be an ideal base for its operations.

He said: "After 15 years of growth, the company has proven a successful formula across the UK, and we aim to retail the most competitively priced, quality branded toiletries and healthcare on the high street.

"Darlington for us is an ideal location due to its situation near major road networks which serve our retail operation.

"Our centre here is also conveniently placed for rail travel and is close to Newcastle, Leeds and Teesside airports.