THE North West could get its own mini-parliament -- if people vote in favour of it in a referendum next year.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott yesterday announced that three regions in the country -- the North West, North East and Humberside/Yorkshire -- could have regional assemblies within three years.

A review of existing county, district and borough councils in these areas will also be carried out, with the aim of creating one-tier local government.

That would mean little change for people living in Blackburn with Darwen, which has operated as a unitary council since 1998. But across the rest of East Lancashire it would mean new authorities being formed, probably with existing boroughs merging and Lancashire County Council being axed altogether.

The announcement follows a three-month consultation. Around half the people who responded in the North West were in favour.

Lancashire County Council believes a regional assembly, with only 35 elected members covering the whole region, will not fight hard enough for the people of Lancashire.

Leader Hazel Harding today said she did not believe a regional assembly would win support in the North West.

She said: "It is a shame that that the proposals fall so far short of achieving real regional government.

"The county council has long been in favour of regional government but could not support what has been put forward. It now remains to be seen whether our 1.14 million residents show any interest in a regional government."

Chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Phil Watson, said: "The council is in favour of regional government for the North West in principle. The degree to which Blackburn with Darwen will be affected in terms of its boundaries is still unclear.

"Originally, unitary boundaries were not to be changed, but it now seems likely that this will only be where there is a 'pressing need'."

MPs gave a mixed response. Hyndburn Labour MP Greg Pope was said: "I am sceptical about the benefits of regional government. I shall listen to the views of my constituents and my colleagues during this debate and make my decision accordingly."

Nigel Evans, MP for the Ribble Valley, said: "At a time when voting apathy has hit an all time low in areas where regional government has been established, this policy is misplaced." Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "I shall campaign in favour of a regional assembly. I think it will be a major benefit for East Lancashire.

"I am also in favour of abolishing Lancashire County Council and going for strong unitary authorities.

"My preference is for a single East Lancashire authority but if that is not possible I would like to see Burnley in a unitary authority with as many other boroughs as possible."

Pro-assembly campaigners The Necessary Group, a coalition of politicians and celebrities were jubilant.

Spokesman and former Blackburn with Darwen councillor Simon Danczuk said: "We are going to work with a huge group of people in the North West across Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside over the next year."