PROPOSALS for regional government were examined at a meeting organised by the North-East Constitutional Convention Women's Forum yesterday.

The meeting, at Gateshead Civic Centre, was open to any North-East women.

The forum looked at the White Paper proposals for regional government, and began the process of seeking a clear response from women in the region to the government's plans.

Joyce Quin MP, the main speaker at the event, said: "The elected parliaments and assemblies in Scotland and Wales have resulted in a big and welcome increase in the number of women in public life, and have brought much more representative democracy to those areas.

"I urge women in the North-East to seize the opportunities regional government can bring."

Geraldine Ormonde, chairman of the forum and an executive member of the Campaign for a North-East assembly, backed up her call.

She said: "The launch of the White Paper is a unique opportunity for a new style of government in our region, based upon equality and inclusion.

"It will involve the present under-represented groups such as women but also the ethnic minorities, disabled, young and older people."