OFFICIALS leading consultation on the possibility of regional assemblies have been criticised for failing to arrange a meeting in North Yorkshire.

Sheffield, Halifax and Hull will host forums on the issue - but the deputy leader of Richmondshire District Council, Richard Dunn, is angry North Yorkshire has been missed off the list.

He said: "Do they really expect people to travel to Sheffield, Halifax or Hull? "Why seek to bypass rural North Yorkshire and visit only the urban areas?

"Is it because they know the people of North Yorkshire realise regional government has nothing to offer them?"

Coun Dunn said the failure to include North Yorkshire in the debate epitomised the concern expressed by those who opposed assemblies.

There are fears a new regional regime could be slanted towards the urban areas, leaving the countryside out in the cold.

Chairman of the Yorkshire Says No Campaign, John Watson, said: "The fact that meetings are to be held in Halifax, Sheffield and Hull indicates to me where the Government's priorities lie when it comes to the establishment of a regional assembly.

He said the organisation had already run a poll on its website to gauge local opinion on the issue, which established many people were concerned that the rural communities would lose out.

However, a spokeswoman for the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber insisted people from North Yorkshire will have a chance to have their say.

"We are aware there is concern in North Yorkshire that there isn't a regional public meeting fixed," she said.

"However, there will be opportunities over the coming weeks for groups to be involved in the debate."

Dates have yet to be confirmed but Government ministers are expected to visit the county in April to listen to local opinion.

"There is no meat on the bones yet, but these visits will involve meetings between Government ministers and stakeholders," she said.

Anyone with a view about the issue can also post an opinion on the website www. yoursayyorksandhumber. odpm.gov.uk

The public meetings which have been confirmed will be held at Sheffield's Hallam University on Thursday; The Quality Royal Hull Hotel on Thursday, April 1; and the Crossley Gallery, Dean Clough, Halifax, on Thursday, April 22.