The government is keen to see Lancashire get an elected mayor as part of any devolution deal, says an MP.

Blackpool South Labour MP Chris Webb believes a “significantly better deal” is possible for Lancashire if it agrees to an Andy Burnham-style figurehead – an arrangement that would then leave the county “hundreds of millions” of pounds better than under the one currently proposed.

Local government minister Jim McMahon is set to meet Lancashire MPs in the coming days to discuss their devolution vision.

The creation of an elected mayor would entitle Lancashire to the highest of three ‘levels’ of possible devolution deal.  But the prospect of an all-powerful individual overseeing the extra cash and responsibility has divided local authorities for years.

Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council last year struck a ‘level 2’ deal with the-then Tory administration.  The agreement did not require a mayor – but came with fewer powers and less money than would have been on the table under level 3.

Mr. Webb says it is now time to put past disagreements aside – along with the county’s provisional deal and “look at what’s best for Lancashire”.

He added: “Significant powers [and] significant resources…are going to be on offer for those with metro mayors and so, for me, this is a no-brainer for Lancashire – and I’m urging all leaders to get behind this.

“We only had to look at those images of the metro mayors, from all political parties, going into Number 10 and meeting the Prime Minister – and what was starkly evident was Lancashire had no voice at that table.  We can’t keep being left behind.”

He claimed Lancashire had an opportunity now under Labour to "get a much better deal" offering "hundreds of millions" more.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner told local leaders recently the new government would “not force places to take on a metro mayor”, but would also “not shy away from making the case for their huge advantages".

County and unitary authority leaders, since the elections, have said they first want to see the deal they negotiated implemented – before discussing enhancements.

The new government has hinted at a greater role for district councils in delivering devolution in county areas like Lancashire.

Mr McMahon told a Local Government Association forum earlier this month he was “uncomfortable” at second-tier authorities like Hyndburn and Burnley being “locked out of the picture”.

Eight district leaders wrote to the last government within days of last November's agreement being published, demanding a rethink.

Several Labour district leaders have called for the current deal to be scrapped in the wake of the General Election and renegotiated with the new administration.

Under the current deal, representatives of the three top-tier authorities would make up the membership of a new combined county authority (CCA). Two districts would get ‘member’ status – without any voting rights.