A PRESSURE group has been set up to fight for an all-purpose local authority to serve two North Yorkshire districts.

The Heart of Yorkshire Campaign is urging the 220,000 residents of the Harrogate and Craven districts to join together should a revamp of local government in the region become a reality.

Founders claim the option would be a better solution than dissolving the district authorities and North Yorkshire County Council assuming control.

Campaign secretary Bill Hoult, who is a member of Harrogate Borough and North Yorkshire County councils, said: "We believe the current county authority is too remote and unresponsive to meet the needs of Harrogate and Craven people.

"Having a thriving mix of urban and rural areas, we believe our future will not be well-served by being part of a predominantly farming-based authority to the north where we have no strong links."

The Boundary Committee wants as many views as possible by February 23.