THE Government has made serious attempts to promote regionalisation.

It has set up regional development agencies, tried and failed to persuade the North-East to vote for an elected regional assembly, and is now busily pushing local government reforms aimed at replacing district councils with unitary county-wide authorities with a remit to improve efficiency and provide a stronger voice for regions such as the North-East.

If it is serious about regionalisation, the Government must surely listen carefully to what the existing regional bodies, such as the North-East Assembly, are saying about the needs and aspirations of the region.

By joining forces with the North-East Chamber of Commerce in launching the "Shaping The Future" campaign, The Northern Echo's objective is to raise awareness of the distinct possibility that our region will be prevented from reaching its full potential.

The North-East Regional Spatial Strategy suffers from having a very dull name, but is actually an ambitious vision for the region over the next 15 years. That vision is in danger of being undermined by the Government, as we have outlined on Page 2 of today's paper, and it is vital that we don't let that happen without making our voices heard.

This is not a case of the North-East whingeing about its lot. This is a region which is making great strides and gaining in confidence through its passionate people and passionate places. It is simply a case of the North-East saying: "Let us be ambitious."

The region is starting to come together on this important issue and we welcome yesterday's announcement by local government minister Phil Woolas of an eight-week extension to the consultation which was due to end on August 6.

We take this as a positive sign that the Government is prepared to listen. It gives the region more time to find its voice and, in the coming weeks, The Northern Echo is committed to playing its part in highlighting the elements of the strategy which are at risk of being watered down.