It is up to the government to call a referendum

Members of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, meeting in Leeds, voted by 19 to seven to hold a vote.

The poll would give the people of the region a chance to vote yes or no for a Yorkshire parliament.

The assembly consists of the leaders of the region's 22 local authorities as well as representatives of a number of other organisations.

Telephone poll

The assembly's view will now be forwarded to the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott who has already said he will hold referendums in regions where there appears to be a demand for devolution.

Results from the assembly's own telephone poll, focus groups and messages through its website will also be sent to the government.

Peter Box, who chairs the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly said: "The assembly has voted to support a referendum because we believe it's the most democratic way forward.

"We should let the people of Yorkshire and Humber decide through the ballot box whether they want a directly elected regional government."