A FINAL consultation is taking place on controversial plans to move a North Yorkshire village into a neighbouring constituency.

Richmond MP Rishi Sunak is urging his constituents in Great Ayton to have their say about changes which could see parliamentary boundaries redrawn.

It is proposed that the large village of Great Ayton is moved into the Thirsk and Malton constituency, after more than 100 years in the Richmond seat. But Stokesley, less than three miles away, would remain in Richmondshire.

It is being considered as part of reforms to ensure constituencies contain between 71,000 and 78,500 electors and which will see the number of MPs in the House of Commons reduced from 650 to 600.

But many residents in Great Ayton are unhappy with the proposals, saying it would end major historical ties between the village and Stokesley.

The vast majority of students in the village attend Stokesley School after attending primaries in Great Ayton and local residents say the area’s economy is served by Teesside and south of the moors.

During a first consultation on the plan last year, an alternative proposal backed by Mr Sunak which would keep Great Ayton in the Richmond constituency was put forward.

A second and final consultation has opened on the proposals and Mr Sunak wants voters in Great Ayton to back the alternative proposal.

Mr Sunak said: “Great Ayton’s links with the Ryedale area are tenuous to say the least and the village is separated from the rest of the Thirsk and Malton constituency by the not insubstantial mass of the North York Moors.

“It has few links with the communities 20 miles or more to the south.

“Whether the issue is geography, education, health, business, or local media, Great Ayton’s focus lies north and north-west of the Moors.

“Leaving aside these important issues, from a personal point of view I want to keep a community for which I have a great deal of affection in my patch.”

Mr Sunak said he had backed the alternative proposal which achieves the commission’s objective of having seats with a roughly equal number of electors while keeping Great Ayton in the Richmond constituency - where it has been for more than 100 years.

“Please take this opportunity to keep Great Ayton where it belongs,” he added.

The second consultation runs until March 27.

Comments can be made online by visiting; www.bce2018.org.uk