SINGER Badly Drawn Boy has signed a plea for a mini-parliament for the North-west.

He has put his name to a petition that has been handed to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, calling for a referendum for an elected assembly for the region.

The singer -- Damon Gough -- is backing the campaign by Merseyside MP Louise Ellman.

Badly Drawn Boy joins a host of star names including Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, actor Tony Booth, presenters Terry Christian and Anthony Wilson and comedian Steve Coogan who have also signed the petition.