THE fears of many people in the south of our region is that a North-East Assembly will be dominated by the conurbations of Tyneside and Wearside.

It a legitimate concern for those who have seen Newcastle become firmly established as the regional capital and a magnet for those bodies charged with looking after the affairs of the whole region.

It is for this very reason that The Northern Echo has been an advocate of basing the assembly in Durham City, if the region votes for devolution in November's referendum.

Not only does Durham enjoy an ideal location right in the middle of our region, it also can rightly claim to be independent of the major population centres on the Tyne, Wear and Tees.

There now appears to be a consensus that the assembly will be in Durham. And it is reassuring to see Nick Raynsford's apparent approval of such a plan.

A major task for the Yes campaign will be to persuade the communities of Tees Valley that the assembly will not be too remote for them. They do not want to see a so-called "Geordie Parliament".

If a strong figure like Ray Mallon opts to support plans for regional government, it will be a tremendous boost for campaigners.

If Tees Valley is given a significant voice in the campaign, then it follows that it can be given a significant voice in the assembly.