VOTERS in North Yorkshire may soon have to choose between two options that will radically transform how the county is governed.

The Boundary Committee today announced that residents could opt to abolish all district councils, creating a powerful county-wide authority that would decide all county affairs.

But they could also be presented with a second option, in which six of the district councils would be paired with their neighbour to create three new bodies, and Selby would join the East Riding of Yorkshire.

If people vote "yes" to a regional assembly in a referendum this autumn, then one of these two proposals for sweeping change - which will be on the same ballot card - will be implemented.

A "no" vote will see councils remain as they are now.

Councillors from North Yorkshire County Council, who have backed a county-wide authority, and the six districts, who want three smaller councils, welcomed the decision to offer both choices to the electorate.

John Weighell, the leader of the county council, claimed his vision of one local authority would be £21 million cheaper than the alternative.

He said: "That is money that should be spent delivery quality local services, not establishing three new councils. Only the single unitary option preserves this county's proud North Yorkshire heritage.

"Only the single unitary authority preserves North Yorkshire's superb services - the top performing schools, the excellent roads and the tremendous social care."

But Arthur Barker, leader of Hambleton District Council, who speaks for the six district councils, said a single authority with 15 area committees would not save millions unless services were drastically cut.

He said that although any change would cost more money, the smaller councils would provide better value and local representation across the county's 3,200 square miles.

"The Boundary Committee has confirmed our view that three unitary councils will be of a size to be effective and have the resource base to continue to support the high levels of service expected by the residents," he said.

The second option will see the creation of three district councils: Craven and Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire and Ryedale and Scarborough. The East Riding of Yorkshire would be expanded to cover Selby District Council.

Pamela Gordon, Boundary Committee chair, said: "Our principal objective has been to ensure that our options offer realistic prospects of meeting the needs of people living in all the communities concerned through the creation of strong, sustainable and potentially high-performing unitary authorities."

Updated: 10:57 Tuesday, May 25, 2004