A COUNCIL leader has called for calm after being accused for the second time of shirking formal talks over a merger with neighbouring boroughs.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Sir Bill Taylor's claim that Ribble Valley and Hyndburn should join his borough met a storm of protest this week.

Labour-run Blackburn with Darwen Council intends to pursue a merger with Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Councils as part of local government reorganisation, if plans for a North West Regional Assembly are given public approval in a referendum next autumn.

A report to members said: "There has been some discussion with neighbouring councils about our proposals, and some consensus on elements of it."

But Coun Peter Britcliffe, leader of Hyndburn Council, said there had been no such consultation. And today Ribble Valley Council leader Chris Holtom said: "Hands off our borough, Bill."

Coun Taylor today said he had long discussions about the issue at the Local Government Conference in Harrogate in July and added: "I have spoken to the Ribble Valley chief executive at least once a week for the last two or three weeks and had a meeting at Blackburn town hall with Peter's deputy Jim Dickinson and Hyndburn Labour councillor David Miles this week."

Hyndburn and Ribble Valley want to go it alone or join together. Coun Holtom said no formal discussions had taken place between Ribble Valley and Blackburn on the possibility of a merger.

And he pointed out that a proposed Ribble Valley and Hyndburn merger had been the only joint-submission to the Boundary Committee from all the councils in Lancashire.

He said: "The only thing that will stop this shake-up going ahead is a "no" vote in the referendum, but we have had to put forward proposals and doing nothing has not been an option. There is no evidence that anyone in Ribble Valley would support a merger with Blackburn.

"An informal chat took place two months ago in Harrogate between council leaders from across East Lancashire, although I have not formally discussed the matter with Sir Bill Taylor and am surprised by his proposal, which has no support in Ribble Valley."