NORTH Yorkshire and the North-East will be the first to cast their votes in a referendum on home rule.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said there was enough interest for the two regions to vote for their own assemblies by autumn 2004 - with the first ones up and running as early as 2006.

But that vote could lead to a major shake-up of local government at grass-roots level and North Yorkshire County Council coming under scrutiny.

If the referendum results are in favour of regional assemblies, the current two-tier local structure of county and district authorities is likely to be changed.

But before the vote takes place, the Boundary Committee for England must recommend at least two options for a single level of local government.

The committee has launched a review in North Yorkshire to come up with the options on which electors will be asked to decide.

Committee chairwoman Pamela Gordon said: "We are looking for proposals that will provide for effective, high performing unitary local government in North Yorkshire which reflect community identities and will provide the best delivery of services."

The review is expected to take a year and will begin with 12 weeks of public consultation.

John Weighell, North Yorkshire County Council Conservative leader, said a referendum would be an expensive and time-consuming diversion.

"We need a solution which is the least expensive option, can be delivered quickly and simply, and provides North Yorkshire with the most effective voice within the region to defend our special interests and characteristics." Submissions are invited by Monday, September 8, to www. boundarycommittee.org.uk or in writing to The Local Government Review Team Yorkshire & Humber, Boundary Committee, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2HW.