Tony Blair told for the first time today how he has been converted to the cause of regional government.

In his first newspaper interview about the historic referendum in the North-East, the Prime Minister revealed his personal conflict over the need for a regional assembly.

"I was initially more sceptical," he admitted, "but I have come round to it, partly as a result of the experience of giving self-government to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London, and partly because I think there are certain issues - economic development, transport and the environment - that are better handled on a regional basis."

Read the full exclusive by Chris Lloyd in Saturday's Northern Echo.