THE Electoral Commission this week announced the identity of official Yes and No campaigns to lead the debate in November's referendum on an elected regional assembly.

A Durham-based campaign group - North-East Says No - has become the official opposition, seeing off rival bids by the North-East No campaign, led by former "metric martyr" Neil Herron, and the British National Party.

The decision brings with it £100,000 of Government funding for use in spreading the Yes and No message, and the right to spend a further £665,000 if it can be raised from other sources.

At a Press conference in Newcastle, spokesman Graham Robb talked of the delight at being designated and the determination to highlight the cost of the assembly and its lack of powers, which he said would make it a talking shop for politicians.

The campaign group unveiled a list of prominent supporters who have been drafted into its 50-strong council. The campaign, which already counts the Conservative party and the UK Independence party among its backers, also has the support of top figures from the business community, including Sir Tom Cowie, Duncan Davidson, chairman of Persimmon, Frank Nicholson, former chairman of Vaux Breweries, and Colin Gregg, chairman of Greggs Bakers.

Sir Tom said: "We'll be making it clear that a regional assembly will be all cost and no benefit. It means higher council tax, but no powers to improve health, education or law and order."

However, Mr Herron said he would not be joining the campaign, saying it was too closely associated with the Tories.

His views were echoed by Dr Ashok Kumar, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. "Almost 20 per cent of North-East Says No backers are either Tory politicians or donors," he said. "It is clear that the links between North-East Says No and the Conservatives run very deep."

Meanwhile, Yes 4 the North-East, set up in June 2003, was designated as the official Yes campaign, led by chairman Prof John Tomaney. It is also awarded £100,000, and counts among its supporters athlete Brendan Foster, author Denise Robertson, actors Tim Healy and Denise Welch, former Bishop of Durham Michael Turnbull and president of Newcastle United, Sir John Hall.

"We are pleased to be confirmed as the official Yes campaign," said Prof Tomaney. "This is a unique opportunity for the people of the region to vote for a greater say in how the North-East is run."

The independent Mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, is expected to spearhead the campaign and to declare his backing for regional government before teaming up with Sir John Hall in a Yes campaign double act.

It is understood that Mr Mallon will concentrate on winning over the south of the region, while Sir John will woo the north. The campaign now hopes to persuade Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson on board.