HYNDBURN, Rossendale and South Ribble councils have agreed to take part in a devolution experiment with county hall.

Lancashire County Council has agreed to a programme which is believed to be a trial run for regional government.

If voters opt for a regional assembly in the autumn the county council will be scrapped. A county-wide unitary authority based in Preston is one of the options to replace the two-tier system of local government being considered.

Now County Councillors will forge closer links with the district councils in a bid to improve the way services are delivered.

County leader Hazel Harding said: "This is about giving people more influence on what happens in their area."

Speaking about the forthcoming regional assembly referendum County Councillor Don Yates added: "This is the way forward if we are forced down the road of devolution."