People in east Cleveland have reservations about joining a proposed regional assembly, a focus group has found.

The group was set up at the request of Middlesbrough Council, which, on behalf of the Government, is researching the strength of public opinion on the issue in the Teesside and east Cleveland area.

The 21 people who took part in the focus group at Skelton Civic Hall gave a mixed response to the idea of Home Rule, saying it would be dominated by Newcastle and other urban areas.

East Cleveland was chosen because much of the area is rural and semi-rural and backs on to the North York Moors, and most feared the area would be forgotten in either a North-East or Yorkshire government.

But the majority felt a North-East Assembly would bring decision-making closer to home and decisions would be better informed about local issues.

Among the disadvantages were that urban areas would receive more money and tourism in the east Cleveland area would be ignored in favour of Northumberland.

Councillors will discuss the group's full findings at an executive committee meeting on Tuesday.