PROPOSALS for the biggest shake up in regional government for 30 years have been labelled a "complete nonsense" by an East Lancashire MP.

Yesterday three draft options for the county were put forward by the government's Boundary Committee but they have met with criticism from elected members in Hyndburn and Ribble Valley.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "I don't want the complete nonsense of regional government.

"They should leave things as they are. All the options are about taking local government further away from people when they should be bringing it closer."

The three proposed options, which could be implemented if residents vote for regional government in a referendum next year, are:

l A county-wide unitary authority for Lancashire incorporating all councils

l An East Lancashire unitary authority incorporating all councils

l East Lancashire split into two with Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley becoming one unitary authority and Burnley, Pendle and part of Rossendale another.

Today leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, Coun Peter Britcliffe, said he was disappointed that his council's suggestion of a unitary authority covering Hyndburn and Ribble Valley had not been shortlisted.

But he added that he did not believe local people would support the idea of regional government.

County Coun Doreen Pollitt, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, also raised concerns about a North West Regional Assembly and urged residents to let their feelings be known.

She said: "We prefer the situation as it is with a two-tier system and we have spoken against a North West Regional Assembly.

"Everyone wants good services and I think Lancashire County Council does provide them."

She added: "At the moment there is a lot of apathy and people are not interested but the Boundary Committee is writing to each household and asking them to return their views and I would encourage everyone to do that."

Only Coun Sir Bill Taylor, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said he was pleased with the proposals which included one of Blackburn with Darwen Council's recommendations.