RIBBLE Valley Council's leader has warned his Lancashire colleagues it will not join a new Combined Authority without a say on transport issues.

Cllr Ken Hind said that while he and his officials would sit in on talks about a county devolution deal, it would not back any proposal without the power to vote on matters relating to roads, rail and buses.

He spoke out as talks on a Lancashire Combined Authority to take over powers and billions of pounds from Whitehall resumed.

In November, Cllr Hind, the leaders of Lancashire County Council Geoff Driver, and Fylde Borough Sue Fazackerly walked out of a crunch meeting joining Wyre District in boycotting the scheme.

Now all 15 Lancashire councils are back round the table with talks chairman Blackpool's leader Simon Blackburn expressing hope real progress can be made.

Cllr Hind has poured cold water on that ambition making clear current proposals which would only give Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire County Councils' leaders a vote on transport (for which they are currently responsible) were unacceptable.

Rossendale and Darwen MP and northern powerhouse minister Jake Berry has urged his Tory colleague to take a full part in discussions.

He was joined by Blackburn with Darwen Council's Labour leader Mohammed Khan who said: "A combined authority for Lancashire is really important when you look at the success of Greater Manchester's devolution deal.

"I hope Cllr Hind will come fully on board."

Cllr Blackburn said: "We've been banging the drum over how important it is we all work together in Lancashire and I'm really pleased we are now starting to make progress."

Cllr Hind said: "We are not back on board.

"We are sitting in on the talks but not supporting the combined authority.

"We will not back it without a vote on transport.

"We have more roads than any other part of Lancashire; more villages that need buses; and need better rail services to promote tourism."

Mr Berry said: "I fully support a combined authority for the county as the minister responsible for devolution for Lancashire.

"The government has made it clear that proposals for any new body must come from those involved.

"I hope that Cllr Hind and Ribble Vally Council will feel able to take a full part in the final framework for a Lancashire Combined Authority."

County Cllr Driver said: "It's important we all work together to get the best deal for Lancashire.

"We've now got everyone around the table again and I'm hopeful we can make some real progress."