BLACKPOOL Council could disappear from the local government map -- and borough residents will not get a chance to vote on it.

A referendum takes place next year on a proposed North West regional assembly, with voters in Fylde and Wyre also voting on two options to replace their local councils and Lancashire County Council.

Option two, similar to proposals put forward by Blackpool's Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups, would see the creation of a 'City of the Fylde' authority, stretching from Knott End and Over Wyre to Lytham St Annes and Warton.

If that goes ahead, the authority may not include Blackpool in its name.

Option one would see Blackpool incorporate Thornton Cleveleys, Poulton and Fleetwood, with the rest of Fylde and Wyre joining a massive Lancashire council representing more than one million citizens.

Resort Conservative group leader, Cllr Peter Callow, welcomed the proposed greater Fylde council, but said Blackpool voters should also have a say in future local government arrangements.

Blackpool Council is also making representations to the Deputy Prime Minister's Office calling for the referendum to be extended to Blackpool voters.

A spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "The law only allows for a second question in areas where there is not currently a unitary authority.

"The Boundary Committee is running a further three months of consultation. The role of a public consultation is to allow views such as these to be heard."

Wyre and Fylde council leaders say they are disappointed that their proposals for a merged Wyre and Fylde authority has been rejected. They intend to make further representations to the boundaries committee during 12 weeks of consultation before the final report is published.

Blackpool Council has welcomed option one, which is similar to the proposal it put to the boundary committee, but leader, Cllr Roy Fisher, said there was 'no support' for a wider Fylde Coast council and believes that such a council would damage Blackpool and Fleetwood's regeneration prospects.

A referendum is expected to take place next autumn. If the region votes no to a regional assembly, no changes to local government will take place and Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre councils will retain their current boundaries.