EAST Lancashire's business community has been asked to join the debate over plans for a North West government.

Residents go to the polls next Autumn to vote for, or against, a North West Regional Assembly, and the government wants firms to have their say as well.

Last month the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott visited the region to launch the 'Your Say' campaign, which aims to give people more information about the proposals.

As well as a referendum, a massive re-organisation of East Lancashire councils is likely to be carried out next year and the Electoral Committee is already considering three options on how local government would be re-shaped.

The first would see a new unitary Lancashire council replace the current two-tier borough and county system, the second would see an East Lancashire unitary council, and a third option would see Blackburn with Darwen Council merge with Hyndburn and Ribble Valley.

In January the next phase of the campaign will see ministers explain how a devolved government for the North West could affect the economy, business, economic development, jobs and skills.