The old Lib-Lab pact was briefly restored today as Tony Blair and Charles Kennedy staged their own balcony scene.

The PM and the Lib Dem leader stood shoulder to shoulder to proclaim they were both yes men in the regional assembly debate.

Voting on the proposed North-East parliament takes place on November 4 with both parties backing regional devolution.

The campaign for a yes vote has been stepped up after a Mori poll commissioned by The Northern Echo suggested the assembly would be rejected.

Mr Blair and Mr Kennedy stood together on the balcony of McQuay's restaurant in Stockton-on-Tees, the first such meeting between the two.

They both burst out laughing when asked: "Do you meet like this often?"

Mr Blair said: "A regional government for the North-East is certainly a great idea, it will allow decisions to be made closer to home.

"Other areas of the country who voted yes have seen the benefits and if you ask them now whether it should be taken away they will say no."

He added: "There is a lot of cross party support for the yes campaign which Labour and the LIberal Democrats feel is extremely important. You won't find any no campaigners in London or Scotland because this system works and it makes a lot of sense."

Mr Kennedy added: "We are both behind the yes campaign because it gives areas proper regional identity and that will certainly improve the quality of civil and public life."

The PM said: "If the result is a no then we will have to accept the people's choice.

"We are in England, one of the most centralised governments and we are now giving the people a chance to change that."