COUNTY Durham residents have backed North-East devolution.

Of 82,000 people who responded to a Durham County Council survey, 59.5 per cent said devolving some power and resources to the North-East would be a step in the right direction.

Nearly half, 47.8 per cent, said the proposed North-East mayor should have “limited powers” – slightly more than the 40.3 per cent said “quite a lot of power and influence”.

The response rate to the poll, conducted between January 13 and February 8, was 21.7 per cent.

Council leader Simon Henig thanked those who had taken part.

The council will discuss the results and debate whether to accept the Government’s devolution offer on Wednesday (February 24).