THE people of East Lancashire are to be consulted about the biggest shake-up of local government for almost 30 years.

Chairman of the government's Boundary Committee, Pamela Gordon, said at a public meeting yesterday it intended to ask residents how they wanted their councils to be reorganised.

If voters opt for a North West regional assembly in a referendum next September, councils will face re-organisation.

Authorities, including Lancashire County and Blackburn with Darwen, have submitted proposals to the committee, which is set to choose two options for every area.

Mrs Gordon said people will be asked to take part in the debate after the proposals are published in December.

She added that leaflets were due to be posted to every household in East Lancashire.

"We really do hope at that stage to provide greater input from individuals, as well as from all the major institutions like the police and health authorities.

"It does matter to people how their councils are reorganised and what the changes will really mean to them," said Mrs Gordon.

The feedback given by residents will be important, but "not an overriding consideration", she added.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has said it prefers a merger with Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley and Lancashire County Council wants to form a new county wide council with 12 area committees serving the current district areas.

Mrs Gordon said any reorganisation would cost less.

She said: "Initial reaction to the whole issue from people has been that they do no want more paid politicians.

"That is a fundamental error because whatever happens the one thing you can be sure of is that there will be fewer councillors or paid politicians."

The Boundary Committee said it would likely put forward more than two options for people to comment on.

Mrs Gordon added: "There will be a chance from December to late February for people to comment and it is very likely we will be coming up with more than two options and asking for a wider public response."