'Your last chance to influence the future is now,' Cumbria County Council's leader said ahead of potential sweeping changes to local government in the county.

Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, called for Cumbrians to head online and express their views on the future of local government.

His comments came as the county council took to social media yesterday to remind residents across the county that their views and opinions on a future restructure of county and district councils are important – and that time to provide them is running out.

Cllr Young said: "At long last the Cumbrian people and its many organisations, partners and businesses have been offered the opportunity to influence and shape the future of local government in our county.

"Removing layers of unnecessary bureaucracy and streamlining seven councils makes more sense to our residents and communities.

"I can only hope that, despite everything else that is going on at the moment, that people try and make the time now before it's too late to make their views and opinions known so that any final decision by government can be informed by what people want locally.”

To provide your views on local government reform in Cumbria, head to http://orlo.uk/hIe8N

Meanwhile, the other options that local government minister Robert Jenrick, has to choose from for Cumbria include a recommendation for Lancaster City Council to join up with South Lakeland District Council and Barrow Council.

A link-up between Copeland Council, Allerdale Council and Carlisle City Council has also been proposed, as well as a partnership between Carlisle City Council and Eden Council.