Lancashire's long-awaited devolution deal has been thrown into disarray by the unexpected calling of the General Election.

The agreement was poised to clear its final hurdle in the coming weeks, with the legislation to bring it into force set to be put before Parliament – eight years after the county first started to pursue a deal.

But last week’s snap election announcement left just two days for outstanding parliamentary business to be concluded before MPs headed back to their constituencies until after polling day on Thursday, July 4.

Had they been approved, the devolution regulations would have seen the powers secured under the deal transferred to Lancashire by the autumn – along with the creation of a new combined county authority (CCA) to implement them.

But the legislation did not make it through the brief "wash-up" period before Parliament was prorogued on May 24 and it is understood the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) regards the deal as now being solely in the hands of the next government.

That means the new arrangements are now likely to be significantly delayed – but more profound changes could potentially be on the cards in the event of a Labour victory at the polls.

The deal - provisionally signed back in November – was done between the government and Lancashire’s three "top-tier" local authorities: Tory-run Lancashire County Council and Labour-controlled Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool.

The deal offers fewer powers than those that come with an elected mayor.

But the deal caused a split between some sections of the Labour Party in Lancashire, with the county Labour group voting against it, Labour-run Chorley and South Ribble rejecting it and Preston’s Labour city council and West Lancs Council also expressing dismay.

Concerns included the scope of the devolved powers, the absence of a vote for district authorities on the CCA and the fact the new entity would take control of Lancashire’s £55m share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, currently distributed by the districts.

County councillors approved the agreement by a majority in March – deputy Conservative leader Alan Vincent warned if the deal on the table did not make it through Parliament on the planned timetable, it could be up to five years before another opportunity arose, costing Lancashire “a fortune”.

County leader Phillippa Williamson said County Hall “remain[s] committed to forming a combined county authority for Lancashire”.

“We are continuing our planning and work with Whitehall officials so we can progress the deal following the election,”  she added.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Phil Riley said it was “obviously disappointing” the deal’s progress had been halted by the dissolution of Parliament.

But he added:  “Given the appetite for the deal from Lancashire businesses and institutions, we would expect the next government to move the deal on as a matter of urgency.”

Recently-elected Labour opposition leader Matthew Tominlson said the election was a chance for Lancashire to get a better deal than the “half-baked” one it had struck.

He added: “There was always the danger it would fail to get through Parliament. That’s why Lancashire’s Tories  – and MPs – were in such a rush to steamroller it through.

“Hopefully, a new Labour government will be willing to talk to us about a devo deal with real power and influence to change the lives of Lancastrians for the better."

Labour Party has said in its 'Power Up Britain' it will create “a new, clearer framework for English devolution” – but the document is not explicit about the relationship between the powers on offer to local areas and any requirement for an elected mayor to oversee them.

Meanwhile a Lancashire County Council spokesman said of the potential delay to the current deal: “We firmly believe a devolution deal continues to be in the best interests of both Lancashire’s residents and businesses.

“Officers are now in discussion with government officials regarding the impact the calling of the General Election will have on the progression of the Lancashire combined county authority regulations.”