EAST Lancashire councils are threatening to disrupt plans for a North West regional assembly.

On May 25 the Boundary Committee for England is expected to announce two options for the future of East Lancashire councils, should voters opt for an assembly in an Autumn referendum.

But a committee spokesman today revealed 10 out of 12 district councils in Lancashire, including three from the east of the county, had rejected the three draft recommendations.

The proposals included an East Lancashire unitary council, a Lancashire-wide unitary council and East Lancashire being split into two unitary councils.

Those two "super" councils would see Blackburn with Darwen and Ribble Valley Councils join forces while Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Councils would also become a single entity. Parts of Rossendale would also be lost to Greater Manchester.

But Hyndburn Council, Rossendale Council and Ribble Valley Borough Council have opposed the recommendations. And that could hold up the plans for change.

Peter Britcliffe, Hyndburn's council leader and Chris Holtom, Ribble Valley leader, have both signalled their opposition to merging with Blackburn with Darwen. Rossendale is understood to be concerned about losing Whitworth to Greater Manchester.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Sir Bill Taylor originally wanted to merge with Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. But after listening to a "strong rural voice", Coun Taylor re-submitted a plan that would see Blackburn and Darwen merge with Hyndburn and only parts of the Ribble Valley, including Mellor, Wilpshire and Langho.

Campaigners opposed to a North West regional assembly are capitalising on fears over council boundary changes in East Lancashire.

On a recent visit to Blackburn, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott admitted he was powerless to stop voters rejecting a new parliament in order to safeguard their councils.

His office is understood to be conscious of the fact that people are worried a North West assembly would simply be another tier of government.

Mr Prescott said fears people would claim they were being burdened with extra bureaucracy forced him to tackle the two issues together.

Since the launch of the plans, Mr Prescott's department has been pushing the message that the two-tier system of council seen in most parts of East Lancashire would be scrapped and replaced with all purpose unitary authorities.

It has also given a promise that if voters reject an assembly, councils will not be re-organised, at least until the next General Election.