HATTON, Stretton and Walton will be erased as a ward if recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission are approved.

If passed, Appleton will take over the majority of the area, with a section of Lower Walton to be recognised as Stockton Heath.

The independent body is proposing for the town to have 58 councillors, one more than the current arrangement, to represent eight two-member wards and 14 three-member wards to curb the 'electoral inequality' in Warrington.

Overall 41 per cent of wards currently have a variance of more than 10 per cent from the average for the borough but the changes are being tipped to achieve electoral fairness.

Ward councillor Paul Kennedy has launched a campaign as he bids to save the future of Hatton, Stretton and Walton.

He has hit out at the commission and accused it of going against its 'own guidance' after it said a good pattern of wards should 'reflect community interests and identities and include evidence of community links'.

"I am really disappointed by the recommendations as the commission has erased Hatton, Stretton and Walton as a borough ward," said the Conservative councillor.

"We could be swamped by other wards and the residents won't get that personal representation from a councillor.

"Not only that, they do not acknowledge these three important and distinct communities in the wards of Appleton and Stockton Heath, that they are proposing they merge with.

"It is accepted that Hatton, Stretton and Walton, while geographically large, has a small population, and while the commission talk about equality of votes across the borough, what residents are much more concerned about is the quality of representation and accountability.

"That is exactly what residents receive but in my opinion that will not be the case, when and if, the ward is broken up and the names of the three parishes are erased from borough wards."

But Cllr Kennedy is focused on the fight ahead and is urging residents to put their views forward during the consultation period.

"I am intrigued by some of the changes and although it will be difficult, I love a good campaign and battle," he added.

If the proposals are given the green light, land in Appleton Thorn will also be attributed to the newly-formed Grappenhall ward.

Brian Axcell (LD – Appleton) admits he was 'shocked' by the recommendations and said he would be happy for his ward to remain the same.

"I am not happy with the way Appleton is being hacked up and I think the proposed changes are absurd," he added.

"The Bridgewater Canal will no longer be a boundary between Appleton and Stockton Heath and that has been the natural boundary.

"When I came on the council in 1991 my ward was Appleton, Stretton and Hatton, while Stockton Heath and Walton was a ward.

"I don't think those in Hatton, Stretton and Walton will be forgotten but what is being proposed is not at all reasonable – it is not an improvement, it is undesirable.

"And what has been recommended in the proposed Grappenhall area is ridiculous."

The changes also include an introduction of Lymm North and Thelwall, Lymm South, Chapelford and Old Hall and Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall wards.

The commission believes no wards would have an electoral variance of greater than 10 per cent from the average for the town by 2020 if the changes are brought.

By 2020 it predicts there will be 2,912 electors per councillor in the town.

The consultation period ends on October 19, with the final recommendations set to be put forward on December 3.

If approved by Parliament the new arrangements are scheduled to come into effect at the all-out council elections next May.

For further information or to put your views forward visit consultation.lgbce.org.uk.