A RADICAL shake-up of local government has been unveiled in the run up to the referendum for a North West Regional Assembly.

The Boundary Committee for England announced this week that a single council or seven smaller ones could run Lancashire.

Such an overhaul will only take place if residents vote for an elected regional assembly in a referendum in autumn.

The government believes if there is a yes vote, there should only be one other layer of local government. A 'no' vote will mean no change.

Among the options is for seven councils, including a new 'Morecambe Bay' authority, comprising of Lancaster City, Barrow-in-Furness and South Lakeland.

This reflects Lancaster City Council's proposals for the future face of local government.

Council leader Cllr Ian Barker says he is 'really pleased' to see Lancaster and Barrow councils' joint proposal included in the recommendations.

"Both councils feel this is the best option for efficient single-tier local government that remains as close as possible to the people."

But the committee's first option is for Lancashire to have a single council for most of the county.

This would see districts such as Lancaster City Council abolished, and its functions taken on by a new 'Lancashire Council', covering more than a million people.

Residents will have their say on their preferred option if a regional assembly is established.