MEETINGS to discuss regional government proposals are to be held across the Ribble Valley amid fears that people may vote for an end to their local council without realising it.

Ribble Valley Council has announced plans for the meetings in the hope that increased awareness will help ensure the authority survives.

If a regional assembly - which would take control of a limited number of government functions - is voted for in the autumn, the government will replace Lancashire's two-tier council system with unitary authorities.

People will be asked to vote for which model of local government they prefer. The government's Boundary Committee's draft recommendations included an East Lancashire-wide authority, a Lancashire-wide one or splitting East Lancashire into two, with Ribble Valley joining Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn. In the second round of consultations, Blackburn with Darwen has submitted revised proposals to take on part of the Ribble Valley - including Mellor, Wilpshire and Langho - raising the prospect of the Ribble Valley being carved up.

At the borough's annual public meeting in Clitheroe, residents complained they did not know enough about the issue to vote.

And residents in Mellor - where a Back Off Blackburn campaign has been launched - and Ramsgreave told the meeting they feared the Government would use offers of cash investment to swing voters.

Council leader Chris Holtom said: "We intend to hold meetings with people both in favour and opposed speaking. Valley residents face losing a lot if we lose our council to a bigger authority. At best, we can hold for a merger with another rural authority, such as Pendle and Burnley, but on no accounts do we want to go in with Blackburn with Darwen."

Both Coun Holtom and Lib Dem leader Frank Dyson spoke against the regional assembly.