EAST Lancashire's lone Tory MP has launched a takeover bid in a Labour rival's neighbouring constituency.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has asked a government body to re-think proposed Parliamentary boundary changes and hand him a large chunk of Chorley.

The move has already been opposed by some of the people affected - but Mr Evans denied his plan is aimed at bringing more Tory voters into his constituency.

Chorley councillor Marie Gray, who represents a ward next to Wheelton and Withnell, said: "I think changes to Chorley would be very grave.

"I would not be one in favour of just removing them to the Ribble Valley just because there are no ties."

Stephen and Jane Wright of Smithy Lane, Brindle were also against the move.

Stephen, 52, said: "We have never had any complaints at all with Chorley council. The Ribble Valley might not be as sympathetic to the problems of the local community. I don't fully understand the ramifications."

Jane, 45, added: "I think we feel as a locality more attached to Chorley. I think geographically certainly the Ribble Valley is more remote."

Mr Evans was speaking at the first day of a public inquiry into the Boundary Commission for England's plan to increase the number of Lancashire constituencies from 15 to 16.

The Commission has recommended that Mr Evans' constituency should be expanded by taking ten areas from the South Ribble.

But Mr Evans told the inquiry at County Hall, Preston, that while he agreed with the proposed changes on the whole, he wanted his new plan to be considered.

Instead of taking control of Bamber Bridge East and Bamber Bridge West Mr Evans suggested to the man chairing the inquiry, Richard Burns, that the Chorley wards of Brindle and Hoghton plus Wheelton and Withnell be given to the Ribble Valley.

Mr Evans said: "Both Bamber Bridge East and Bamber Bridge West are very urban and industrial in nature and have very little in common with the current Ribble Valley."

Mr Evans urged the commission to "look again" to see if they could be included in a constituency that was similarly urban and consider giving him the two Chorley wards instead.

After the meeting Mr Evans denied he was merely trying to swap Labour voters in Bamber Bridge for Tory voters in Chorley because of concerns about his majority.

He added: "I've looked at the figures and what would actually happen is that Labour would be the second largest party in the Ribble Valley instead of the Liberal Democrats."

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle said: "No MP likes to lose his constituents but I recognise that Chorley is already far too large with growth continuing at 10 per cent in population each year."

The Commission is considering four alternative proposals for the whole of Lancashire and listening to the views of politicians and residents.

A spokesman said a final decision was not due to be made until later in the year.