Supporters of the Newcastle Gateshead bid for European Capital of Culture have been urged to prove there is regional support for the campaign.

The appeal comes in a Christmas mail-shot to 600 people who have signed up to support the bid.

Although the Newcastle Gateshead bid remains among the bookmakers' favourites on the shortlist of six cities, there is concern over a weakness in the bid.

Sir Jeremy Isaacs, chairman of the judges, has warned the bid is "not as embedded in the city and the region as others".

Spring decision

Now high-profile supporters, including members of the local business community, are being asked to demonstrate that widespread support exists across the region.

The winner of the European Capital of Culture honour for 2008 will be announced in spring 2003.

Newcastle Gateshead is in the shortlist with Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, and Oxford.

The six were selected from an original list of a dozen by a 12-person committee which visited the competing cities.