THE Richmondshire district could merge with a neighbouring area should a system of regional government be introduced in Yorkshire.

Councillors agreed that joining forces with Hambleton or Craven would be the best way for the authority to survive in some form under re-organised local government.

Local authorities have been asked by the Government to submit at least two ideas for new systems in their areas, from which official recommendations will be made by May 2004.

Richmondshire District Council was unanimous in its condemnation of North Yorkshire County Council, which favours a county-wide unitary authority which would wipe away the district councils.

Consultants are working with Richmondshire to come up with options which would best represent its residents and businesses.

Chief executive Harry Tabiner told a full council meeting that an idea based on the current district boundary was unlikely to find favour with the boundary committee or the Government.

He said the district was too small to stand alone and would have to merge with at least one other to satisfy ministers.

Members agreed that economic and cultural links already existed between Richmondshire and Hambleton, while Craven had more in common with Richmondshire than anywhere else.

Council leader John Blackie said regional government would remove local decision-making and be dominated by the urban areas of West and South Yorkshire: it is expected that North Yorkshire would only have three representatives on a regional assembly of 35.

His proposal that the district council campaign for a "no" vote was backed by councillors, who formally condemned proposals for a county-wide unitary authority and agreed to write to the county council to express their anger.

District-based proposals would be forwarded to the boundary committee, with a preference for merging with Hambleton and, possibly, Craven.

Coun Blackie said: "Hambleton feels the same about us as we feel about Hambleton and there are already great economic and cultural links between the two."

Council chairman Michael Heseltine said regional government was not inevitable, although it was right to identify the best options if it was forced on the region