I, LIKE many others, have spent the last three years either in opposition to or at best sceptical of plans for a regional assembly.

However, I am now increasingly in favour because of the caustic stance of some MPs and county councillors to the proposed change.

They have managed to misrepresent the assembly on offer and argue that it won't be able to deliver services, will be highly expensive, cost thousands of jobs, be undemocratic and be lacking in real power.

They know the assembly will be a strategic body concerned with such things as economic development, transport and the environment, seeking to ensure that the region has better education, better health and better jobs.

Service delivery will still be done where it's done best - at local level - probably by unitary authorities or an all-embracing county authority.

I don't expect county councillors to support the assembly - after all when have turkeys ever voted for Christmas - but I hope that people can see through the hyperbole and support this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the North West.

Darren Clifford, Heysham.