A NEW East Lancashire 'super council' is one of the ideas set to be shunned by Blackburn with Darwen councillors.

A referendum is due to be held next year when voters will be asked whether they want to scrap the county and borough councils and replace them with a North West Regional Assembly and new unitary authorities.

Councillors will meet tonight and vote on whether they want to form a new East Lancashire authority, remain the same or expand in a link up with neighbouring boroughs. The possibility of an East Lancashire unitary council controlling Burnley, Accrington, Clitheroe, Nelson and other towns being run from Blackburn has prompted concern.

However, Blackburn with Darwen said the idea would be unworkable. A report to tonight's full council meeting said: "It is felt one single authority for East Lancashire, ie with the six East Lancashire Councils of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale, is too large and would recreate some problems or remoteness currently experienced under the two-tier system in Lancashire."

Instead councillors will be asked to vote on two options which would see Blackburn and Darwen join with bordering boroughs. The report adds: "Both areas would provide a greater urban and rural mix, but would be a size where they can be responsive to citizens' needs."

Councillors in Burnley will argue they would prefer to see Burnley merge with Pendle and Rossendale to form one of two unitary authorities in East Lancashire when they meet on Wednesday. A report will then be sent to the Government's Boundary Commission.