The axing of east Lancashire’s historic parliamentary seats could radically change the way local services are run, it’s been claimed.

Accrington is set to lose its single MP for the first time since Victorian times under controversial Boundary Commission proposals.

Lancashire will lose two net seats from 16 to 14, with Hyndburn, Rossendale and Pendle disappearing off the parliamentary map.

Hyndburn Councillor Joan Smith fears boundary changes could end up in the area’s relatively small local authorities merging.

She said: "Not only have they split up Hyndburn, they have split up Burnley and Rossendale as well.

"Is this going to be an excuse to get rid of the small authorities and put them together? You do wonder if it’s the thin end of the wedge for local government reorganisation."

As a quirk of the changes, Coun Smith’s home will be in a different seat to her council ward.

The Commission is consulting on plans which will see two new seats – one swallowing most of Accrington, Huncoat, Great Harwood, Clayton-le-Moors and Altham, and another containing Church, Rishton, Oswaldtwistle, Spring Hill and Baxenden.

MP Graham Jones believes local government finances are such that a steady erosion of ‘localism’ is ‘inevitable’.

In one extreme example the proposed new Ribble Valley seat will span four different local councils.

Mr Jones said: "In east Lancashire we might end up with the nuclear option of having to operate with many more shared services in 10 years’ time, if not with everything shared and ultimately leading to one council.

"People would want one chief executive, not six, and one chief planning officer and one chief finance officer. Money will drive the agenda.

"We will be gaining some efficiency but losing some democratic accountability. Would everybody still want localism if it becomes unaffordable?

"I think LCC would remain, but people would share services to such an extent that people from Rossendale would come and collect Hyndburn’s bins or people from Ribble Valley could come and do the gardens and look after the parks. Human resources could be in Burnley.

"They’re taking the local out of the local MP because people will ask them ‘are you aware of the situation?’ and the answer will be ‘no’."

The Accrington Observer is campaigning against the Boundary Commission recommendations, which would carve up the Hyndburn seat and see it form the minor share of two new seats.

To respond to the public consultation visit the Boundary Commission website, email northwest@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk or write to Boundary Commission for England, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ, before December 5, 2011.