Redcar and Cleveland residents are being asked for their views on proposals for new local electoral arrangements.

The Boundary Committee for England, which is currently reviewing council ward boundaries in all areas of Teesside, said there are areas in Redcar and Cleveland where there are significant imbalances.

The report suggests the council should retain 59 councillors in 22 wards, as at present, but that boundaries in 19 of the wards should be changed. These also affect the parish councils of Guisborough, Lockwood, Saltburn, Marske and New Marske and Skelton and Brotton.

It said the current situation means electoral arrangements across the borough are "significantly imbalanced."

The report argues that the worst imbalance is in Saltburn, where the three councillors represent 36 per cent more electors than the average for the district. At the opposite end of the scale, the two councillors for the St Germain's ward in Marske represent 34 per cent fewer electors than the average.

David Walsh, leader of the borough council, said the report is flawed because it says there are two councillors for Saltburn, when there are three and three councillors for St Germain's, when there are two.

"We want them to examine this fundamental error because it could compromise the statistical robustness of the entire document."

Pamela Gordon, chairman of the committee, said: "We are consulting until July 8 and I hope that all those affected by our proposals will tell us what they think about them."

Copies of the reports are available at www.boundarycommittee.org.uk, from council offices and public libraries or by writing to Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2HW. Letters must be addressed to the Team Leader and include the name of the relevant authority.