A regional daily has been praised in the House of Commons for two of its long-running campaigns to promote the North East.

Newcastle’s The Journal was highlighted in an Early Day Motion by Gateshead MP Ian Mearns for “defending and promoting the interests of the region”.

He praised the paper’s Taste North East England campaign which has been running since 2008 to get everyone from consumers to retailers, hoteliers to restaurateurs, to “buy local, use local, eat local”.

The initiative sees a weekly food and drink section in The Journal each Friday and regular events around the region.

 A year later, the title launched its Think North East England First campaign which extends the buying local message to other products and services, encouraging readers to shop for items manufactured in the North East.

The campaign was launched by Newcastle and Sunderland players before a derby match at St James’ Park and gained the support of the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Editor Brian Aitken said: “We have a long and proud tradition of campaigning for the people of the North East and it’s nice to see that recognised.
 
“The two campaigns are about supporting businesses and keeping pounds circulating in the economy for as long as possible.”

Last week’s EDM stated: “That this House recognises that the Journal newspaper in the North East plays a prominent and exemplary role in defending and promoting the interests of the region and helps to overcome its physical and political distance from the centre of power in the UK.”