PEOPLE have been told to seize the chance to change local government, as deputy Prime Minister John Prescott confirmed his wish to axe the county council.

He said a referendum, due to be held next year asking voters if they want an elected government in the north, was the region's greatest opportunity for change.

Mr Prescott was joined by local government minister Nick Raynsford and the deputy leader of the House of Commons Phil Woolas MP for the launch of a push to ignite interest in the debate over the North West Regional Assembly in Warrington yesterday.

The 'Your Say' campaign is an attempt by the government to kick-start public interest in the proposed change, which would effectively spell the end for county councils, including Lancashire's.

Mr Prescott said: "People in the North West have a great opportunity to establish a new form of government that will bring democracy and opportunity to the region.

"The information campaign I am launching will ensure people are armed with the knowledge to choose whether they want to take this opportunity or not."

If people vote for a regional assembly next year the current two-tier system of local government which operates in many parts of East Lancashire would be replaced by new unitary authorities similar to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Blackburn said it would prefer to merge with Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, but both those councils have voiced strong opposition to having a regional assembly.

Mr Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said an assembly with an annual budget of £780 million making decision on transport, funding and housing would stop economic decline in the north.

Mr Woolas, who was brought up in the Burnley village of Worsthorne, added: "If people agree with me, they will vote for a regional assembly next year because they would be fed up with people 250 miles away taking decisions on how to spend our money."

According to Mr Woolas, MPs from the North West were often frustrated by funding decisions being made in London. That, he argued, meant money made in East Lancashire was often re-directed to the South, which in turn meant the region's most talented individuals were forced "straight down the M6".

Local government minister Nick Raynsford said: "The most important thing is that decisions that affect people in the North West are taken in the North West."

Mr Prescott may have his work cut out though. A recent survey found that 47 per cent of those quizzed could name Mr Prescott as Deputy Prime Minister, but 31 per cent said they had no idea who held the post and 16 per cent guessed a different name.

County councillor Hazel Harding said: "We are waiting for the Boundary Committee to present its options. But all councils in Lancashire, the county and all 12 districts will disappear if there is a Yes vote so to say that only the county council would go is misleading."