LANCASTER City Council could be set to change its name next month, in a bid to acknowledge all parts of the district equally.

The city council will vote next month on an independent proposal to create 'Lancaster, Morecambe and Lunesdale City Council.'

Other parties have given a cool response to the MBI scheme, which was first brought forward last year, but delayed because of the city's bid for a new Lord Mayor.

The new name would reflect that fact that two-thirds of council tax payers live outside the city, which bears the council's name.

Independent councillors sat the name of the council has been a bone of contention since the amalgamation of the two districts in 1974.

Group leader, Cllr Tricia Heath, said: "This district boasts three very different, beautiful areas each with its own distinct essence - city, coast and countryside - each is home to approximately one third of the local population - each has approximately 20 councillors representing them on Council.

" Yet two thirds - coast and countryside are not recognised.

We want to change that perception and make sure all three elements are equally acknowledged."

Cllr Pat Quinton, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said she could understand the feelings of people in Morecambe, but raised questions over cost and the length of the new name.

"I can imagine that the cost of this would be very high," she said: "and when you have a city as part of the district, coming up with a new name is difficult."

Cllr Quinton, who represents the Lune valley village of Caton, said: "Nobody has ever said to me that they think Luneside should be included in the name of the district, though I can understand the feelings of people in Morecambe."

Green group leader, Cllr Emily Heath, said: "I'm open to the idea of changing the name of the area to better reflect the diversity of the district, provided that it doesn't cost too much to implement."

The issue will be debated at a special meeting of the full council on September 18.