THE North-East takes a major step towards "home rule" today when Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott hears how the region would like to govern itself.

Mr Prescott is expected to welcome the proposals by the Campaign for a North-East Assembly (CNA), and to say: "Today is an important step. The region is clearly in the vanguard on the road towards regional government."

Mr Prescott is preparing a White Paper on devolution to the English regions for early next year. The CNA proposals, entitled A New North-East, are the first to be presented by an English region.

Labour's enthusiasm for regional government has waxed and waned since it included the idea in its 1997 manifesto, but Mr Prescott has long been an advocate.

Today's high profile meeting in Newcastle follows rumours that the ground is being prepared for one English region to test the water with a referendum before the next General Election. The North-East is the favourite candidate for such a poll.

The CNA's document proposes that an assembly should have control over aspects of education, health, transport, economic development, tourism and rural affairs.

Mr Prescott will say: "When the time comes, the people in the North-East will want to vote for something that will make a difference to their lives."

Last night, the North-East's Conservative MEP, Martin Callanan, branded today's events as "a waste of time".

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