TOWN Halls are on a collision course after Blackburn with Darwen councillors voted in favour of merging with neighbouring Hyndburn and Ribble Valley.

Council leader Sir Bill Taylor told a meeting last night that the three boroughs must merge together to form a new authority for the sake of the 260,000 people it would serve.

But council leaders at the two smaller councils today objected, saying they didn't want to be swallowed up or become satellite bases of a large authority.

Coun Taylor said keeping the current system of local government in East Lancashire was not an option.

He ruled out an East Lancashire 'super council' that would include Burnley and Pendle because it would be too big and the council's preferred option will now be forwarded to the Boundary Commission.

But Hyndburn and Ribble Valley have already stated they want to join together without Blackburn with Darwen, fearing the larger borough would swallow them up, although Ribble Valley's preferred option is to remain unchanged.

Merger plans will form part of a "first past the post" vote on whether people want a North West Regional Assembly and a wholescale re-organisation of local government, due to take place next autumn.

Hyndburn Council meets tomorrow to finalise its proposals and deputy leader Jim Dickinson said: "We do not see ourselves as a second or third satellite to either Blackburn with Darwen or Burnley.

"Hyndburn has a tremendously successful record in attracting investment into the borough and we intend to continue doing that.

"The last time there was a suggestion of a link up with other authorities we had overwhelming objection to joining up with either Blackburn with Darwen or Burnley."

Ribble Valley Council will finalise its position tonight and leader Coun Chris Holtom said: "No-one in the Ribble Valley favours this state of affairs (merging with Blackburn and Darwen) at all and we wish we didn't have to deal with this issue."

He said he had no problem with the "first passed the post" vote, even though his borough had fewer voters, saying: "I would urge everyone to vote against the regional assembly."

MP Nigel Evans said: "The Ribble Valley can get by on its own thank-you very much. Since it began the whole process of devolution has been a crazy paving of politics.

"The only people who will be happy is those on huge salaries sitting in a new assembly. There is only one emergency exit from all of this and that is to reject the proposals for a regional assembly."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope added: "Almost anything is preferable to the current system. Blackburn with Darwen has been very, very successful in attracting European and government funding, so going in with them would be better than the two-tier system we have now.

"But there are many reasons why the neighbouring authorities, including Hyndburn, could do it without Blackburn with Darwen being included."

Coun Taylor said: "The status quo, although comfortable like an old pair of slippers, is too risky to move forward with.

"The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is looking for a viable and achievable alternative to the system we have now.

"We do not see this as a takeover of any council, this is a merger."

The plans also include taking Samlesbury and Walton from South Ribble and Brindle, Hoghton, Wheelton and Withnell from Chorley.

The move was supported by Tory opposition councillors.

A second option that would see Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Rossendale merge together will also be put forward to the Government's Boundary Commission.

Voters are set to be asked two questions in the regional assembly referendum. The first will ask if they want a regional government and the second will give voters two options for the future of Lancashire.

The options will be drawn up by the Boundary Commission after it has assessed proposals from each local council.