A survey has revealed huge support for proposals for a new Morecambe Bay unitary authority.

Barrow Borough Council, South Lakeland District Council and Lancaster City Council carried out the survey on plans for a merger of the three councils if new local government reform proposals go ahead.

And they reported that 85 per cent of respondents were in favour of the idea of the new authority, which has been supported by leaders of the district councils.

Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council, has welcomed the results of the survey.

She said: "The response to the consultation and engagement exercise was excellent.

"It was great to see the level of genuine interest and strong support residents, businesses and stakeholders across the area have shown for our proposals for a new Bay authority.

"We firmly believe the Bay has the potential to deliver the best outcomes for all of our communities – something that is evidently echoed by many of the people who live and work here."

The proposal to create a new unitary authority around Morecambe Bay was agreed by the councils on December 8 and has now been submitted to the Government.

However, Cumbria County Council's Matt Brereton opposes the Morecambe Bay proposal.

Cllr Brereton said: “I am not sure why it is being portrayed as the obvious solution.

“I think Barrow and Ulverston would miss out being put together with Kendal and Lancaster.

“It passes county lines and I think Lancaster couldn’t be further away from Barrow in terms of demographics, history, industry and economy.

“It’s impractical that Cumbrian services could be devolved to a town of Lancashire and vice versa.”

Cumbria County Council has proposed a single unitary authority for the region.

Carlisle City Council, in partnership with Eden District Council, has also outlined plans for the area which would see two new unitary authorities being created.

In October, the Government sent a letter to councils in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset inviting submissions on ‘locally-led proposals for unitary government’ in those areas.