A DOCUMENT inviting local people to have their say on how they are governed is about to be distributed.

The 16-page booklet, entitled Who do you want to run Middlesbrough?, is being sent to every household in the borough, to inform people of the options for a new decision-making structure.

It asks them to choose from three models - a directly-elected mayor with a cabinet, a leader elected by the council, with a cabinet, or a directly-elected mayor with a council manager.

The process, being carried out by every council in the country, is designed to put the onus on communities in deciding how they are governed.

The reforms are also aimed at ensuring proper scrutiny of councils' actions.

To help people decide, the booklet includes recommendations by the independent Middlesbrough Democracy Commission. A full consultation programme involving businesses, council staff, health, education and housing officials, the justice system and voluntary and community groups, is also under way.

Councillor Oliver Johnson, chairman of the Middlesbrough Democracy Commission, said: "The government's modernising agenda for local government requires us to find new ways of working which put citizens and services first.

"We must get people's views by April, so we can submit a draft constitution to the secretary of state by May 2001."

Pre-paid reply cards must be returned to Middlesbrough Borough Council by Friday, April 13.