PETER Pike MP is well known for his love of the town he has served in Parliament for 19 years.

A lifelong Burnley Football club fan, Mr Pike served on the Burnley Council as leader before becoming the town's representative in Westminster in 1983.

But as a meeting of East Lancashire businessmen at Turf Moor last week, Mr Pike made an emotive speech outlining a plan which he sees as intrinsic to the future economic prosperity of the region.

A new authority would be likely to have powers over economic development and high level planning, and may also include some responsibility for culture and transport.

Mr Pike said: "I believe now is the time for putting petty rivalries that we have had in the past behind us, including our football rivalries, and look to the future.

"I want to see investment here in everyone. Investment in jobs and investment in the people who create jobs.

"We have to move forward, we have to change and progress. We want to see investment in East Lancashire."

Treasury Minister, Ruth Kelly MP, also supports Mr Pike's plan.

Ms Kelly said: "It is essential to regenerate places like Burnley. Regional Assemblies can play an important part in keeping people and attracting people to Burnley."

Mr Pike added: "If Burnley and Blackburn were to join together we would be a city of half a million people. Speaking as a city of East Lancashire, because that is what we are.

"But when we have got six little boroughs competing against each other it is an absolute nonsense.

"If we consolidated those six budgets we could do a much better job. I do not say that as a criticism, but now is the time to go forward.

"We need to speak with one united voice and I strongly believe that what is good for Burnley is good for Blackburn and every other authority of East Lancashire."