MORE than half the people in Burnley are in favour of a single-tier of local government, according to a new report.

Figures published by research company MORI for the Boundary Committee for England show 56 per cent of those questioned supported the formation of a new council combining Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Seventeen per cent favoured a greater East Lancashire authority, which would also include Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, while 16 per cent favoured a unitary county of Lancashire.

The most important reasons to the 304 Burnley residents polled for supporting a Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale council included that it would reflect people's views, would cover a small area, be more accountable and would improve services.

Burnley Borough Council leader, Stuart Caddy, said a single-tier of government would be cheaper to run than the present system.

He said: "Local people would get a better deal from this new unitary council as it would mean all the important local government services, like social services, housing, transport and environmental works, would all be under a single line of control, and so much better co-ordinated."