THE biggest test yet of public opinion on the creation of a regional assembly for the North-East has found a majority of County Durham voters favour a referendum on the issue.

But in a blow to the vociferous campaign to bring Home Rule to the region, less than 22 per cent of those polled were actually in favour of a regional assembly.

The poll of 32,000 households, carried out by the pro-assembly Durham County Council, found 25 per cent would vote against an assembly and more than 53 per cent had not made up their minds.

The Labour-run council, the region's biggest local authority, says it is pleased with the 65.7 per cent support for a referendum, but says that the Government must do more to raise awareness of the issue.

The Government has made it clear that the region will be among the first to be given a vote on an assembly if there is a concerted call for one.

Campaigners in the region say an assembly will give the region a greater say in its affairs - although campaigners claim the existing proposals do not devolve enough power from central control.

If an assembly is created, one tier of local government in County Durham and Northumberland will have to be scrapped.

Council leader Ken Manton said: "A significant proportion of respondents, for one reason or another, did not make their voting intentions clear, making it difficult to come to a clear-cut conclusion. However, the survey has given us a very clear main finding and will enable us to give the Government a firm statement that the people of County Durham want a referendum on regional government.''

He was not disappointed by the "no assembly" vote, saying that the 53 per cent who did not express a preference was "where the debating ground will be".

Other councils inthe region may carry out their own surveys on a referendum.

The County Durham survey also found support for a referendum among businesses and voluntary groups, although the business world was particularly opposed to an assembly.

The issue has sparked a fight between the county and the district councils below it, to be the tier of local government that is retained.

Durham City Council leader Maurice Crathorne said the districts would lobby the Government to become all-purpose or unitary authorities rather than having a county-wide unitary council.

Neil Heron, campaign director for North-East Against a Regional Assembly, said the survey was "highly flawed" and most respondents were opposed to an assembly, undecided or unaware of it.

"We want a greater voice and more influence and money for the region but the regional assembly is not the way to do it," he said.