LANCASHIRE'S famous red rose could be axed as the symbol of the county council if a review decides it is past its sell-by date.

County Hall bosses have confirmed that they are looking at the council's corporate identity -- which includes the world-famous Red Rose -- to see if people still recognise it.

The move today met with fury and one MP said axing the rose would be 'bonkers'.

The emblem is under review in response to the Local Government Act, launched in 2000, which advises councils to look at all aspects of communication with the public.

Part of that includes looking at corporate identity, seeing how people react to it and -- most importantly -- if people associate it with Lancashire County Council.

If the logo is deemed not to be fulfilling its role, it could go.

The council is also to look at modernising the emblem.

The rose has been associated with all things Lancashire since the 13th century. It would remain the adopted emblem of Lancashire, although it would no longer be used by the county council at its offices, on its stationery or on its vehicles, if it gets the axe.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "Lancashire is looking at all aspects of its communications with the public in line with the modernisation agenda introduced by the Local Government Act 2000. One aspect of this is the county council's image which of course includes the authority's corporate identity-- an issue which is being examined by many other local authorities."

Today, MPs, councillors and campaigners for Lancashire attacked the council for even considering changing the logo.

County Coun Chris Holtom, who represents part of the Ribble Valley, said: "I've heard about this and I think it is outrageous for it even to be considered.

"It is the logo of Lancashire, simple as that. There is no way anything else could possibly be put in its place."

Staff at County Hall have also expressed dismay at what is being proposed.

One said: "You think of Lancashire, and you think of the red rose. How can people possible associate a county council here for anything else?"

The Local Government Act 2000 has also forced councils to shake-up their committee procedures, prompting claims that too much power was being placed in too few hands.

Blackburn with Darwen Council -- which adopted the borough's famous Arte Et Labore logo when it became a unitary authority -- has escaped the review because its logo is relatively new.

It has also been able to demonstrate people have high recognition of its corporate identity.

The current council logo has been used since 1974, although the rose is believed to have always played a part in the county council's emblem.

It appears on almost everything including stationery, vehicles and a huge red rose appears above the door at County Hall in Preston.

No cost for changing the logo or revamping it has yet been put forward to councillors.