CONTROVERSIAL plans for a North West assembly could transform local authorities and spell the end for the county council.

The plans to establish a directly elected regional assembly have been drawn up in a government White Paper.

After a referendum, the proposals could mean the end of Lancashire County Council, with Preston City Council and South Ribble Borough Council changing into unitary authorities -- or possibly merging.

The Government says having an assembly in the North West will improve accountability, bring decision-making closer to the people and give the region greater ability to spend money where it wants.

But opponents -- including the Conservative Party and Lancashire County Council -- have said it will just take decisions further away from the people.

County Councillor Doreen Pollitt, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "The number of representatives they are looking at is anywhere between 25 and 35. That would give Lancashire four if we are lucky."

If people vote for the assembly there would only be one government authority below it -- which means Preston could become a unitary "all-purpose" authority, taking over the running of essential services like roads from the county council.

The leader of Preston City Council is supportive of the plans but has reservations. Coun Ian Hall said: "he public are confused as to who does what -- sometimes we act on the county council's behalf. If there is one council dealing with everything they know exactly who to go to.

"But it would depend on how it is structured.

Coun Howard Gore, leader of South Ribble Borough Council, said: "I am a hundred per cent for it. The paper states that the North West can have any where between 25 and 35 members. So we will still have local representation, whether that is at district level or county level."