The Northern Echo has made national headlines after commissioning a key poll in the run-up to the North-East's historic referendum on a regional assembly.

The Mori poll in the North-East's biggest-selling regional morning paper revealed that the "No" campaign is seven per cent ahead with less than three weeks to the referendum.

The poll, published on the day polling cards arrived through letterboxes across the region, questioned more than 1,000 people about their voting intentions.

And the surprise strength of the "No" vote generated a frenzy of media interest, as earlier polls had suggested that the "Yes" campaign was 2-1 ahead.

The Northern Echo's poll was featured on the BBC's News At One programme as well as on Radio 4's Today programme. National newspapers were also eager to hear the results.

Echo editor Peter Barron, said: "The referendum is an historic event for the North-East and it has been vital for the paper to be at the heart of the debate.

"The poll has certainly caused waves."

The Northern Echo has supported the principle of an assembly, arguing that the status quo is unacceptable because of the growing North-South divide.

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