BLACKPOOL residents are being given the chance to shape the future of their local council this week with a leaflet campaign.

The "Your Views Count" leaflet will be dropping through doors throughout the area explaining the three voting options of

An elected mayor with a cabinet.

An elected mayor with a council manager.

Or a council-elected leader with a cabinet (which is the preferred choice of the council).

Council Chief Executive, Graham Essex-Crosby, says all the options are intended to offer clear leadership and improved openness and accountability and adds that "local people should be given the opportunity to say what they think would be best for their area."

Three open meetings are being run during March to give residents the chance to find out more and voice their opinions and a democracy office helpline is available on (01253) 477147.

The meetings are: March 15 at 6.30pm at Highfield HIgh School, Highfiled Road; March 24 at 10.30am at Claremont 1st Step Centre, Dickson Road; and March 27 at 6.30pm at Montgomery High School, All Hallows Road.

The council will then submit its final proposals to the government by the end of June, with the possibility of a new system being introduced as early as this autumn.