HISTORIANS have launched a campaign to restore the traditional boundaries of Lancashire amid fears that a local government shake-up could lead to the county being lost forever.
They hope the a new regional assembly being planned for the North West -- and the abolition of all county councils -- will lead to the restoration of the old county boundaries.
If not, the Friends of Real Lancashire are concerned Lancashire will just become part of the North West, with future generations no longer identifying themselves as Lancastrians because nowhere called Lancashire actually exists.
Lancashire was carved up in 1974 when local government reforms introduced county councils and carved up the red rose county to help form Cumbria, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. Parts of the Forest of Bowland and towns like Barnoldswick crossed over from Yorkshire to Lancashire.
Since then, the Friends of Real Lancashire have been campaigning for the restoration of Old Lancashire -- and believe the new local government shake-up could be their best chance yet.
Under plans being proposed by central government, new regional assemblies will be created across the country. Some powers will be devolved from Westminster to the new assemblies, while strategic matters currently dealt with by unitary and county councils will be handed up to it.
Day-to-day services provided by the county councils will be passed to borough councils. Many borough councils are expected to merge, with the possibility of one council serving the whole of East Lancashire.
It would mean the administrative county of Lancashire would no longer exist -- and unlike in 1974 when a smaller-sized Lancashire replaced the old larger Lancashire, there would be no replacement.
Steve Sherdley, the Friend of Real Lancashire secretary, said: "North West counties such as Lancashire, Cumberland and Westmorland have suffered a greater loss of identity than most other counties.
"The only way Lancashire can be preserved for the future is for the traditional boundary to be used as the basis for everyday geography, which it shown on maps again.
"Counties could then be used for their rightful role, as the basic divisions for mapping, tourism, sport, heritage, cultural and ceremonial matters.
"Traditional county identity needs reinforcing if this important part of the North West's historic heritage is not to be lost.
"Our geography needs stabilising, replacing the current fluid geography we have, based on ever-changing administrative areas."
For a referendum to take place, the North West Regional Assembly -- currently an unelected quango which promotes the region -- must prove there is a demand for a change in local government.
They hope they can prove such a demand in time for the next general election, when the first referendums are expected to take place.
Around 25 elected members would sit on the regional assembly. Existing councils have expressed concerns that places like East Lancashire will take a back seat to Liverpool and Manchester, both of which would have more members.
Mr Sherdley added: "Whether or not regional government comes about there is a real and grave danger that our much loved Lancashire could be destroyed unless meaningful steps are taken to preserve, protect and promote their identities."
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