A SECOND call has gone out for people to have their say on the possible creation of regional assemblies across the country.

Local Government minister Nick Raynsford yesterday announced amendments to the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill, which would give people a vote on whether to scrap the current two-tier local government system and replace it with unitary councils and a regional assembly.

In Lancashire, that would effectively mean borough councils merging, while Lancashire County Council would be axed -- although people would get a choice in the vote whether to scrap county or borough councils.

An initial soundings exercise to test the level of interest in each English region in holding a referendum received more than 5,400 responses, 2,000 of which came from the North West.

Respondents to the soundings exercise will now be contacted again, in case their views, information and evidence change in the light of the amendments to the Bill.

A spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "Additionally, any individual or organisation who now wishes to put forward their views on this matter can do so."

Responses must now be received by May 16.

The soundings will then be used to decide if there is enough interest in a referendum to warrant holding one.

That vote is expected to take place some time in 2004, with a new assembly, if favoured by the majority of people, operating from 2005.

Lancashire County Council has already expressed opposition to a referendum, stating that there is not enough support within the county for a fresh vote.

But the North West Regional Assembly has been urging people to put their views forward either way -- the more views the Government receives, the more likely a vote is.

The current Regional Assembly is little more than a lobbying body for local councils in the North West.

Details on how to register opinions are available from the Regional Assemblies website...