DOZENS of North regeneration projects will go unfunded as figures reveal the region has asked for £339m from the Government's vastly oversubscribed growth fund.

Ministers have hailed the regional growth fund as the key to keeping the economy going after business secretary Vince Cable decided to scrap development agencies such as One North East.

But with just £250m available across England it is likely Dr Cable will have to turn down many projects which would have created thousands of jobs.

Last night critics said the figures showed how the demise of the regional leadership provided by One North East had made it more difficult to fund important projects.

Details of which of the region’s 69 bids have been successful are expected next week. While bids such as two linked to the offshore industry on the banks of the River Tyne are thought to stand a good chance, many other groups are still waiting for an indication of their likely success.

This includes Newcastle and Gateshead Council’s city development company 1NG, which put in bids worth around £50m, 20% of the nationwide fund, including a request for £40m to build a new conference centre adjacent to the Sage Gateshead.

The £338m requested by businesses and councils in the North East, including a bid connected to Nissan, is the second highest in England. The North West wants more than £500m.