A previous survey in Durham found voters were not aware of the issues

Figures released by the current North East Assembly, which is not elected, suggest 87% of people are in favour of a vote on the issue.

Meanwhile, a similar poll in north-west England, including Cumbria, shows over 70% of people in the region support regional government.

The findings come as the government ends a consultation exercise to gauge support for a referendum on the issue.

Views of people throughout the North have been taken through local authority opinion polls, consultations, "citizen panel" surveys, and focus groups.

Tony Flynn, Chair of the North East Assembly, said: "It is now time for the government to listen to the voice of the region and move swiftly towards sanctioning a referendum in the North East in 2004.

'Informed decisions'

"The benefits regional government could bring to the region now need to be fully and properly debated.

"A real appetite exists for the North East to have that debate, which will require much more public information to ensure that the electorate can make informed decisions."

But 11% of responses did not support holding a referendum in the North East, and 2% indicated a "don't know'" response.

And a report in January compiled by Durham City Council found people in the north-east of England were "unaware" of the issues surrounding home rule for the region.

In the North West, a poll of 1000 people was commissioned by the current regional assembly, which is not elected.

However the government says not all replies have been counted yet, and results across the region and throughout the country could change.