THE Northern Powerhouse minister said he supports for the creation of an East Lancashire unitary authority.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry weighed into the debate of East Lancashire’s authorities quitting Lancashire County Council and forming a rival unitary authority.

The minister’s words came following Pendle Council’s bid to establish support from other East Lancashire borough councils and break away from County Hall.

Pendle councillors have repeatedly voiced concerns that the interest of East Lancashire borough councils are being ignored by the ‘West Lancashire’ focused council and said they will be speaking to other councils in East Lancashire to see if there is an ‘appetite’ to break away.

Weighing in on the debate during BBC Sunday Politics North West’s weekly programme, Mr Berry said: “I think Pendle is right to look at what is best for them in terms of driving value for money and services for the people who live there.

“My own personally long held view is that some sort of merger of the borough councils - the creation of an East Lancashire authority or some local government reorganisation in East Lancashire - would deliver better value for money.

“They’re interesting plans from Pendle. We will have to wait to see where they go.”