LEADING figures from both sides of the referendum argument went head-to-head in a televised debate last night

The 40-minute programme, presented by BBC Breakfast's Dermot Murnaghan, was filmed at the Town Hall, in Durham City, and will be broadcast tomorrow night.

The Question Time-style panel will be made up of businessman Ian Dormer and PR expert Graham Robb for the No campaign, as well as Yes4TheNorth-East chairman Professor John Tomaney and singer Suzannah Clarke.

Mr Murnaghan said: "How we are governed, and by whom, is important for everybody and the referendum devolution debate we are holding in Durham is an example of how the BBC can and should become a platform for debate and discussion within the community."

The invited audience included figures from the North-East's arts, business, political, health, sport and voluntary sectors.

The programme will be broadcast on BBC1 at 10.55pm on Sunday, following Panorama.

Published: 16/10/2004