DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott yesterday urged people in the North-East to make history by voting yes in the referendum for a regional assembly.

Mr Prescott, speaking in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, said: "If you give it a chance here it'll kick off a revolution. It'll then start in the North-West and Humberside.

"It is the first time it has been offered to an English region. And the North-East is leading the way. It is in your hands. It is an historic occasion."

On the North-South divide, Mr Prescott said: "There is no God-given law that the North should grow at same rate as the South.

"We have the businesses, the jobs and the people. When Scotland made political changes they moved up the league from the bottom to half way. It has happened in Wales and now is happening in London.

"It is a very important decision. You won't get another chance for another ten years."

Mr Prescott then moved on to Sunderland where he tried to talk to a heckler.

As the man ran off, Mr Prescott said: "Don't run away, we are asking for a public debate."