PLANS to return "home rule" to Yorkshire by establishing a local parliament were finally being unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott today.

In a statement to the Commons, he was outlining his vision to establish a directly-elected regional assembly if the idea is supported by residents in a referendum.

The move, which has been the subject of a hard-fought campaign, would take powers from Westminster and hand them back to Yorkshire.

But North Yorkshire residents would have to pay a heavy price for the establishment of a regional assembly - the loss of the county council.

Mr Prescott was set to explain that any region which wants a regional assembly will have to abolish a "tier" of local government to avoid "duplication".

Jane Thomas, director of the Campaign for Yorkshire, welcomed the publication of the White Paper. She said: "We could see a referendum within two to five years."

But Ms Thomas said: "There will have to be some restructuring of local government."

North Yorkshire will be worst-affected by the reorganisation of local government as it is the only area in the region with a county council.

The North-East is expected to be the first region to hold a referendum. Yorkshire is expected to follow closely behind.

Updated: 11:29 Thursday, May 09, 2002