I SEE that we are on a very tight schedule for the local councils to submit their views on the possible way forward for local government in this area.

I do hope that Burnley and Pendle Councils are both bold enough to seize the chance to go for unitary local government.

I have never been anti-county council but I have always believed that all-purpose single tier authorities are better. My early political involvement in Burnley in the 60s showed a good example of the old County Borough serving this town very well.

I actually believe an authority for East Lancashire as a whole, including Blackburn, would be even better - but are we too late to see those in power locally take that chance and go for it.

The case for this is a strong one which I could make at length, but if that is too big a step, grasp the chance to give a stronger voice for the people of Burnley and Pendle now.

It is just a pity for me that I am just a bit too old to go back on the council, but I still want to see a strong unit of local government with the powers and resources to tackle the challenges that exist and serve the people of Burnley and Pendle - and perhaps even East Lancashire as a whole.

PETER PIKE, Deerpark Road, Burnley.