A WET and windy North-East welcome awaited judges for the European Capital of Culture bid yesterday.

But the relentless downpour failed to dampen the assessors' enthusiasm for Gateshead and Newcastle.

When organisers tried to change the tour schedule to keep the 12-strong panel dry, the judges refused to budge. They braved the rain to visit the Angel of the North and even walked over the Millennium Bridge.

A spokesman for the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, one of the organisations behind the bid, said: "Because of the weather, we cancelled the walk across the bridge, but they insisted on doing it. They said they didn't mind getting a bit wet."

The assessors also met about 60 artists for a chat in the St Mary Centre, in Gateshead. Those who spoke to chief judge Jeremy Isaacs said he appeared impressed.

"He said the weather had not dampened his enthusiasm," said the spokesman. "He still saw the architecture and the beautiful buildings.

"I think we are in with a good chance."

* Despite its reputation for fearsome weather, Newcastle is one of the driest cities in Britain.

Rainfall specialist Dr Andy Baker of Newcastle University said this week's downpour was a freak occurrence.

"The reason it is dry is because we are in the rain shadow of the Pennines," he said.