OPPONENTS of regional assemblies claim that new mini parliaments would simply add another layer of government bureaucracy and ultimately become a waste of taxpayers' money.

Groups such as the confederation of British Business want to know how it will improve public services.

The leader of Lancashire County Council Hazel Harding made it clear she has reservations about any plans to unite the local authorities in East Lancashire, including Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale and the current unitary of Blackburn with Darwen.

Coun Harding is concerned that delivery of Lancashire County Council Services would be affected by the amalgamation of the individual boroughs.

She said: "My main concern as Leader of the County Council is that we continue to deliver high quality services for the people of Lancashire.

"I believe there is a danger that individual districts would receive less representation with an East Lancashire authority than they have at the moment. "

She also warns against the idea and points to past failures.

"Previous attempts to amalgamate the district councils in East Lancashire have not been successful and any new organisation would probably not include Blackburn with Darwen" she added.

And she believes that a Lancashire authority is what the people of the county want and identify with.

According to Coun Harding Lancashire County Council is still the best option for the people of East Lancashire.

"Our surveys have also shown that people identify very strongly with Lancashire as a place to live and work rather than East Lancashire."