LANCASTER MP Hilton Dawson has challenged the county council to show how serious it is about the proposed Lancashire Council'.

County council leader Cllr Hazel Harding says the proposal for a single council for most of Lancashire offers continuity of services at the lowest cost.

She is also confident devolved decision-making will ensure local people still have a voice.

But Hilton has expressed amazement' at the proposal for a new council with 168 councillors.

He said it was clear the committee expected the new council to be a new form of local government with a strong regional presence and a real commitment to devolution'.

"I am challenging Lancashire County Council to show how serious it is about this major commitment."

He is calling on the council to drop its opposition to elected regional government and join the yes' campaign for a North West Assembly.

He also wants to know how such a large authority would work with the eight Primary Care Trusts in its area.

"If Lancashire is serious about the grand plan it put to the Boundary Committee it will respond positively to my challenge. If they are only seeking to undermine this autumn's referendum and preserve the positions of councillors and senior officers it won't."