LANCASHIRE County Council leader Hazel Harding today launched the authority's bid for survival by calling for an 'open and honest' debate over regional assembly plans.

Coun Harding spoke out after the North West Regional Assembly -- a non-elected body which lobbies Government -- produced figures which showed more than 66 per cent of people supported its aim of replacing shire counties.

The survey results were based on random telephone polls and group discussions, which Coun Harding said were not representative.

She said: "An informed public debate is vital. The NWRA really has a responsibility to ensure it helps, not hinders, this process.

"We have the best interests of Lancashire people at heart and will ensure their views are accurately presented and interpreted at all times.

"They did a telephone poll and then mixed these results with what people said in a few group discussions. They even admit the sample was not representative of people who live in the North West.

"From now on, we will be scrutinising very carefully all the facts and figures put out by the NWRA to ensure this kind of thing does not happen again.

"It saddens me that a crucial debate should get off to such a poor start. It is a possible change in local government that could lead to the abolition of the majority of local councils right across the North West."

Lancashire County Council will consider a report on the regional assembly at a meeting of the full council on December 19.

Although the Lib Dems support the principle of regional assemblies, they do not think the current proposals being put forward by Government are the best way forward.

Lib Dem leader David Whipp said: "What we want is a regional assembly which takes power for Westminster and devolves it into the regions.

"What the public are being offered is the chance to hand power up from county level to a body which will have around 35 members and serving the whole of the North West."

Last month's Queen's Speech included a review into which areas should be allowed to vote on having a referendum over regional assemblies first.

The NWRA needs to prove there is demand for a regional assembly to get that referendum, which could take place in 2004 with a view to an assembly being introduced in 2007.