A DELAY in deciding who will run the region's Business Link services is better than choosing the wrong candidate, regional development agency One NorthEast said last night.

It was due to announce its decision on who would run a North-East-wide business support service this month.

The agency only announced a shortlist of two bidders this week, A4e, which runs County Durham's Business Link, and the Coalition of Ambition, which comprises the North East Chamber of Commerce and the current operator of Business Link in Northumberland, Tyneside and Wearside and Teesside.

Tim Pain, head of enterprise and business support at One NorthEast, said: "We've just had to ask for some more detail from the shortlist of two.

"This will make absolutely no difference to when the new business support service will start, which is April 2007.

"It's better to take our time making the right decision than repenting at leisure."

Mr Pain said he was reluctant to name a date for the final decision, only saying it would be in the summer.

The four sub-regional Business Link contracts come to an end in March next year and the new operator will take over the running of services in the whole region.

Mr Pain said: "What we want to do is procure a service that ensures the highest standard of quality and support for businesses, no matter where they are based."