RESIDENTS of a borough have been reminded the deadline to comment on a controversial shake-up of ward boundaries is October 7.

In February the Local Government Boundary Commission for England approved a new draft electoral map for Pendle Council.

It cuts the number of councillors in the borough from 49 representing 17 wards to 33 politicians for 11.

The shake-up was strongly supported by the Tories.

But Labour group leader Cllr Mohammed Iqbal branded it ‘a cull of democracy’ and Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr David Whipp warned smaller communities would ‘lose their identity’.

A public consultation on the proposals which would mean boundary changes for every current council ward will close on October 7.

Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “This is the last chance for local people to have their say on ward boundaries for all borough councillors in Pendle.

“We want to hear evidence from the people who know Pendle best about the shape of local communities across the borough before we finalise our recommendations in December.”