A PETITION has been set up against proposals to redraw the political map of two east Lancashire Parliamentary constituencies has hit 2,000 signatures.

Under the plans, the Ribble Valley seat would lose three wards (Whalley and Painter Wood; East Whalley Read and Simonstone; and Langho and Billington) to Hyndburn, while Hyndburn would lose Haslingden to the new West Pennine Moors constituency.

The proposals, published by the Boundary Commission could see the new map come into force by 2024.

Local Ribble Valley Borough and Lancashire County councillor Ged Mirfin started a petition against the changes affecting the wards earlier this month and revealed that it now has 2,002 names on it.

He said: “There needs to be recognition by the authorities that this would represent a fundamental historical change of quite radical proportions if the Boundary Commission get their way.

“If this proposal gets passed it is likely to have further implications for the governance of the Ribble Valley. Very likely the question of an East Lancs super authority based on Blackburn will quickly raise its head with all that involves for Ribble Valley residents.

"Quite simply by removing the three Wards from the Ribble Valley Parliamentary constituency which is currently contiguous with Ribble Valley Council this is calling into question the long-term viability of the borough council.”