PROPOSALS announced by the Boundary Committee for the future of local government in North Yorkshire have led to a split in opinion.

One option is for one unitary authority to replace the current county council and six district councils.

Arthur Barker, leader of Hambleton District Council, said he is backed by the other five district councils in saying this option would not be the right local choice.

But Coun John Weighell, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, believes this move would give the county much more influence.

Four options have been put forward by the Boundary Committee for the major re-organisation of local government that will take place if there is a 'yes' vote in the referendum on regional assemblies, which is scheduled to take place in November 2004.

The other three options are:

* Three separate unitary authorities, with Craven and Harrogate, Richmondshire and Hambleton, and Ryedale and Scarborough pairing up.

* A two way split joining Craven with Harrogate, then Hambleton, Richmondshire, Ryedale and Scarborough would become North Riding of Yorkshire Authority.

* A two way split joining Craven, Harrogate and Richmondshire into a Yorkshire Dales Council and Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough into a North York Moors Authority.

York City Council would remain as it is and Selby would link with the East Riding of Yorkshire. Coun Barker said: "One authority for North Yorkshire one hundred miles wide is not the right local choice.

"People deserve better than that. They need local representation and services - they want to pay bills, talk to officers and look at plans without travelling a day to do it."

But Coun Weighell welcomed the idea of one unitary authority. He said: "If there has to be change we want to minimise cost and disruption and maximise the economies of scale and the clout and authority with which North Yorkshire interests can be promoted."

If there is a no vote at the regional government referendum, there will be no change in local government structure.