How One NorthEast's chief executive is depicted on the website

Regional development agency One NorthEast wants to dissolve the 34-year-old Northumbria Tourist Board (NTB) and set up a new promotional unit.

But the 1,500 small business members of the NTB have hit out at the decision, saying it could seriously damage the region's tourism industry.

The NTB is made up of tourism businesses in the North East, from County Durham up to the Scottish Borders.

One NorthEast says its relationship with NTB has "broken down" over how to redirect resources, including millions of pounds of public money.

Our members demand that money is spent wisely and not squandered on an orgy of public vandalism that will damage the region's economy Hugh Becker, Northumbria Tourist Board

The agency says it wants to market individual resort destinations, rather than geographic locations, like Northumbria.

A campaign group - Save Northumbria Tourist Board - has been set up by existing members of the NTB.

The campaign's website features a photograph of One NorthEast's chief executive Alan Clarke as pantomime character Wishy Washy.

The site hits out at the "theatrical antics of Alan Clarke and his merry men", who they claim are involved in "ham fisted attempts to snatch the region's tourism treasure chest".

'Rocket Science'

Mr Clarke was unavailable to comment.

But John Sargent, tourism manager at One NorthEast said he hoped there could be "constructive talks" with the NTB.

But he added that he wanted to promote resort destinations, such as Alnwick Gardens, instead of generic locations.

He said: "This mirrors what is being done nationally. We get tourists into England and then promote specific destinations."

Hugh Becker, chairman for the business members of the NTB said, "The entire membership supports the NTB 100% as it calmly and rationally pursues its repeated requests for meaningful and constructive dialogue with this increasingly dictatorially led government agency.

"What we want, and what the region needs, is a strong and responsive partnership between One NorthEast as a strategic co-ordinator, NTB as the delivery arm and the local authorities delivering the appropriate elements of the overall strategy.

"This is not rocket science; it is simple common sense.

"Mr Clark boasts publicly about the �60m of taxpayers' money that he has to spend on tourism.

"Our members demand that this money is spent wisely and not squandered on an orgy of public vandalism that will damage the region's economy."

Durham County Council, which is accountable for NTB, has called for an "orderly wind-down" of the NTB and its finances.