CAMPAIGNERS for a Yorkshire regional government today urged the Government to use St George's Day to celebrate the re-birth of the "real England".

They joined with campaigners from across the country to call for a timetable for action from Government so that regions that want to can set up their own regional governments. The Campaign For the English Regions (CFER) says England is a land of rich regional, local and ethnic diversity.

Jane Thomas, CFER secretary and director of the Campaign for Yorkshire, said the group wanted a commitment from Government to pass legislation which would enable regions to hold referendums on setting up regional governments as soon as possible.

"We are keen to see that this does not slip off the political agenda," she said.

The CFER is urging ministers not only to clarify the legislative timetable by St George's Day today, but also to launch a national debate on the issue of English devolution.

Jane Thomas said polls conducted in Yorkshire indicated a growing strength of feeling in favour of regional government with a recent poll showing 58 per cent in favour.

Campaigners would like to see this kind of government looking after transport, the environment, regeneration, culture, sport and post-16 training.

She said they would be watching closely the progress in the North East where there was a strong feeling towards regional government.

"As well as being St George's Day today, there has been a lot of debate recently about what it means to be British and English and we've said don't forget that the most important thing is that we are diverse and there are lots of regional diversities," she said.

Updated: 12:09 Monday, April 23, 2001