RIBBLE VALLEY'S council leader has claimed moves to include rural areas in a new super authority were backed by 'fictitious' figures.

And Coun Chris Holtom revealed that the cost of re-organising local government in Lancashire and creating a regional assembly would be £38million -- with no guarantee that bill would be met by the Government.

Coun Holtom spoke out at an open-floor meeting held by his authority into plans for a regional assembly -- which would mean the existing two-tier system is replaced by unitary councils.

The meeting was held at Longridge Civic Hall, and attended by about 60 people. Despite the fact it is right on the edge of the Ribble Valley and closer to Preston than Clitheroe, residents at the meeting declared they wanted to remain in the Valley rather than become part of an enlarged Preston authority.

That's the option being put forward by Blackburn with Darwen Council to the Boundary Committee -- currently drawing up proposals for the local government shake-up.

As well as asking people whether they want a regional assembly, a localised vote on which sort of council structure they prefer will also be offered.

Blackburn with Darwen originally submitted plans for a Blackburn-Hyndburn-Ribble Valley authority, but in the second phase of consultation, it has suggested it only wants villages such as Wilpshire, Mellor and Whalley, which border Blackburn.

If that proposal went forward, Ribble Valley would be carved up, with part going into an enlarged Pendle authority and communities such as Longridge, Chipping and Ribchester becoming part of a Greater Preston authority.

Blackburn with Darwen claims to have done a survey which shows people in villages like Mellor and Wilpshire see themselves as part of Blackburn with Darwen.

But Coun Holtom, a councillor for Wilpshire, said: "Whenever we have asked for proof, they haven't been able to come up with it. They say they did a survey, but I think they have come up with the figures off the top of their heads. They are fictitious.

"It would break many hearts to see the Ribble Valley carved up and that is what we are now fighting.

"I think it is totally wrong for Blackburn to come along and plum-pick the parts it wants, without a care for the people who actually live there. I don't need to do a survey to know people in Wilpshire don't think they are part of Blackburn."

Some residents in Longridge also had concerns at one of the options Ribble Valley Council was putting forward -- for it to be merged with Pendle and Burnley.

Anger was also expressed that the Boundary Committee, whose consultation closes on Monday, has not extended the deadline after leaflets it was supposed to send to all homes were held up.

Some residents have yet to receive theirs -- three days before the consultation ends.