RYEDALE'S MP Kevin Hollinrake has said he has mixed feelings about the proposed boundary changes which could see his Thirsk & Malton constituency lose the town of Filey.

Plans to change the shape and size of constituencies up and down the country were revealed last week by the Boundary Commission for England.

If the plans are delivered in their current form, the Thirsk & Malton constituency will gain land in the North York Moors, from Chop Gate up to Great Ayton, and some land around the Siltons, north of Thirsk, but lose Filey and also Maunby, Newby Wiske and the Otteringtons in the Hambleton district.

On receiving the news, Mr Hollinrake said: "I would be very disappointed to lose Filey if these changes go ahead as I have always loved the town and very much enjoy my regular visits and representing the area locally and in Westminster.

"However, as a seaside resort, some local people may feel that it does make sense that it is linked up with Scarborough. Whatever the outcome of the current consultation on the proposals, I shall continue to work hard to represent Filey and the Hambleton ward until any changes come into force in 2020.

"Of course, should Great Ayton join the constituency as proposed, I will endeavour to meet local residents and businesses at the earliest opportunity."

The report published today will be discussed and debated before being finalised in readiness for the next general election in 2020.

In the wider Yorkshire and the Humber region, an electorate of 3,722,035 people will be represented by 50 members of parliament, down from 54.

England will lose 32 seats in total, Scotland will lose six, Wales 11 and Northern Ireland will lose one.

During the consultation the commission will hold four public hearings in the region; among them, hearings in Leeds on October 13-14 and in Northallerton on October 20-21.