THOUSANDS of people have yet to make up their minds about whether to support regional devolution for the North-East, according to a survey.

Durham County Council's postal survey of 32,000 residents - answered by more than 7,000 - found that 25 per cent were against the idea of a regional assembly, 21 per cent in favour and 53 per cent undecided.

Detailed analysis of the results, which were first announced last month, has found that opposition is greatest in areas with the most knowledge of the issues.

Awareness was highest in Durham City, with 63.5 per cent, and lowest in Derwentside, at 53.5 per cent. In Durham there was a "significantly higher" percentage of people who would vote against an assembly, but the figure was lower in Derwentside.

The council's economic development director, Mark Lloyd, said in a report to Thursday's cabinet meeting: "There is some evidence from this survey that as awareness within the population grows, the overall proportionate desire for a regional assembly diminishes."

The Labour-run council is in favour of an assembly.

Neil Herron, campaign director of North-East Against a Regional Assembly, said: "I believe home rule would be good but we are not being offered that. It will be a toothless bureaucracy and more politicians."

A spokeswoman for the North-East Regional Assembly, which is campaigning for an assembly, declined to comment.

But council chief executive Kingsley Smith said: "For those who support regional assemblies, we do think there is a need to devolve more powers to them to make them more attractive - things like the Learning and Skills Council, Connexions, the Environment Agency and Highways Agency."