TWO of the region's communities have been compared to cultural Meccas, such as Paris and New York, in a top US magazine.

Influential American publication Newsweek yesterday described Newcastle and Gateshead as "new centres of cultural vitality".

The pair were the only UK location to make it into the article, alongside Austin, Texas, Tijuana in Mexico, Cape Town in South Africa and Marseilles in France.

Councillor Mick Henry, leader of Gateshead Borough Council, was delighted with the international recognition.

"It is fantastic news that one of the world's most well-respected news and current affairs magazines has given Gateshead and Newcastle this stunning accolade," he said.

The news came as judges for Tyneside's European Capital of Culture 2008 bid were in the city. Three members of contest's advisory panel toured Newcastle and Gateshead to assess their bid for the title in 2008.

Sir Ian Wrigglesworth, chairman of the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, said: "The judges seemed to like what they saw and were certainly interested and enthusiastic about the people and the projects involved in our bid."

The three judges were Hilary Lade, chair of the Royal Parks Advisory Board, art historian Marc Jordan and concert pianist Barry Douglas. Their tour included a visit to the Baltic art gallery and the Live Theatre.