OPPONENTS of a North West assembly are "muddying the waters" of the debate with arguments over unimportant detail, according to a council leader.

Coun Sir Bill Taylor was at the 'Your Say' campaign launch in Warrington yesterday where he re-affirmed his commitment to bringing a new authority to the region.

The leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council said ever since the debate got under way those against the concept of a regional assembly have picked at the details to obscure the real issues.

He was even compared to Hitler by the leader of a neighbouring council after his authority voted to merge with Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley if the assembly is given the go-ahead.

Coun Taylor said: "The Labour group in Blackburn and the council are supportive of regional government and that is about getting more for the people of the North West.

"It would make sure that European funding gets right across the region rather than in specific areas. Our concern is that some people who are opposed to it are arguing over minor details.

"Doubters and detractors will delve into the detail of everything to muddy the waters when we should be keeping our eye on the ball.

"Right across the board, all sorts of people for all different sorts of reasons are doing that. Having a debate on the detail is not what I want to see.

"Having the power is the most important thing, arguing about how that power is used can come later."

Because it is a unitary authority working without Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen could stay unchanged even if the yes campaign is successful.

But Coun Taylor said a merger with Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley would make common sense. However the leader of Hyndburn remains unconvinced.

Coun Peter Britcliffe, the man who made the Hitler reference after claiming Coun Taylor had not consulted him about merger plans, said: "Bill Taylor was right - it is about power and not people.

"It is putting power into the hands of remote politicians and not the people, which is what we do not want."