THE Liberal Democrat leader of Durham City Council is backing calls to set up three all-purpose councils in the county.

If the North-East votes for a regional assembly, one of the current two tiers of local government will be abolished.

But it will have to be agreed whether to have one county-wide authority or a handful of councils.

The district councils commissioned a study by experts at Birmingham University's Institute of Local Government, which said a merger of districts to create three authorities would be "the safer option" and that there was growing enthusiasm for this type of council.

It would see the city and Easington join together but another option could see part of the Durham district form a North Durham authority with Chester-le-Street, Stanley and Consett.

The districts and Durham County Council have agreed that any referendum on the issue should include the county-wide and three district proposals.

Lib Dem leader Councillor Sue Pitts said the councils had to find out what local people thought.

"The review team have carried out a comprehensive study and considered a number of options.

"The model of three all-purpose councils, with either a north-south or a west-east split, would create resource centres that still have the communities they serve at their core.

"As leader of a district council that is committed to working alongside local people, this model for a future unitary council is very attractive.

"The way in which we are structured will affect all aspects of life. It is vital to excite and involve local people so that as many people as possible will take part in local polling. They will be choosing not only the way in which services will be delivered but the quality of life that comes with those.''

The Durham District Councils Forum - all the councils apart from Durham City are Labour-controlled - said it will "consult widely" on the issue.

The Government's Boundary Commission will decide the options for an official review of the county's local government.

Durham County Council is backing a county-wide unitary council, which it said would be cheaper to set up and could provide services more economically.