OPTIONS that may shape the future of local government in the North-East and North Yorkshire will be outlined this week.

Civic and local authority leaders on county and district councils across the region are awaiting the recommendations of the Boundary Committee for England.

Committee members will travel North tomorrow to announce their recommendations for a unitary structure for local government should the people of the North-East and Yorkshire vote yes in October's referendum for elected regional assemblies.

The announcement, at the Copthorne Hotel, on Newcastle Quayside, will bring the year-long review of local government to a conclusion.

It follows months of research and consideration of arguments and submissions.

One tier of local government will be scrapped should a 'yes' vote emerge in the referendum.

District councils in North Yorkshire, County Durham and Northumberland have each put forward options and proposed mergers to cover all local authority services in their respective areas.

However, the county councils have also made the case to take over the duties and powers of the districts should a 'yes' vote follow.

The boundary committee was asked to present at least two options for creating a unitary system of local government in each area.

Durham County Council leader Ken Manton said the announcement represented a key stage in the potential overhaul of local government.

He said: "The referendum presents people with a unique opportunity, not only to vote on whether they want an elected regional assembly, but to say how they want to be served by local government for the foreseeable future."

He said the county council favoured a single authority.

In North Yorkshire, the county council is urging residents to vote against an elected assembly.

But if there is a vote in favoury, council leader John Weighill believes one council is the only option to retain North Yorkshire's identity.

Districts in both counties favour a combination of smaller unitary authorities.