SUPPORT for Tyneside's bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008 has been pouring in from across the world.

The Newcastle-Gateshead Initiative (NGI) launched the Back the Buzz campaign last month, and appealed for the whole of the region to support its bid.

People were asked to register their support by phone or via its website, and in a matter of weeks, more than 37,000 people from as far afield as Sudan, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and Singapore have signed up.

Messages of support have also come from India, Australia, Greece and Bang-ladesh.

Celebrities who are supporting the bid include comedian Ross Noble, musician Chris Rea, Newcastle United captain Alan Shearer and Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton.

Shearer said: "Being a proud Geordie, it would be tremendous for Newcastle to become Capital of Culture."

Paul Collard, NGI's head of project development, said: "The campaign has mobilised a small army of people - wherever they are in the world - who are very keen to let the judges know how much they want Newcastle-Gateshead to win."

Tyneside faces competition from five other British cities for the Capital of Culture title.

An independent judging panel, led by Sir Jeremy Isaacs, is expected to make a second visit to the region in April. It will make a recommendation to the Government, which will announce the winner in June.

* To sign up log on to the www.VisitNewcastleGates head.com website before the end of this month.