PEOPLE in Warrington who believe they are a resident in Cheshire rather than Lancashire are being urged to 'look again at the evidence and re-evaluate their position'.

British Counties Campaign (BCC) wants the current 'ceremonial counties' to be abolished and hopes the boundaries of traditional counties will be marked on maps and signage in the future.

Historically, Warrington was located within Lancashire but – following local government reforms in 1974 – it became a borough within Cheshire.

The BCC has now launched in Westminster, with lead MP Henry Smith aiming to help push a Government-sponsored bill through Parliament.

It has also released a draft bill drawing out the reasons why a Government-backed Counties Bill is 'needed'.

Key aims set out in the bill include the word 'county' only referring to the 92 historic counties of the UK, the current 'ceremonial' areas to be abolished and recreated based on the traditional counties, the 'appropriate' county to be used on all UK postal addresses and counties to be indicated on street signs and maps, with boundaries signposted properly.

Group members Desmond Wilcox, from Padgate, and Bryan Gregory, from Orford, believe the 1972 Local Government Act 'is without doubt one of the greatest causes of our present county confusion'.

In a statement, the pair added: "Until the year 1974, there was absolutely no doubt in any Warrington residents' minds as to which county they belonged to, which of course was the Historic County Palatine of Lancashire.

"Warrington's history is inextricably intertwined with its native county and was known as a Lancashire market town and the gateway to Lancashire.

"It may come as a surprise to many Warrington residents living north of the River Mersey to be told that their home county is still Lancashire and not Cheshire.

"Why do we say this? Well, we need to go back to the 1972 Local Government Act to find the facts.

"The Act stated that administrative boundaries would change but not county boundaries or the loyalties of the people living in them, therefore, Warrington and Widnes were placed under the administration of Cheshire but the county boundary did not, and cannot, change.

"Would the good people of Warrington who believe they are a resident in Cheshire please look again at the evidence and re-evaluate their position, taking as their guide the clear Government and Duchy of Lancaster statements."

During Lancashire Day in November, town crier Colin Ballard, town crier to the manor of Lytham and St Anne's Town Council, read out the Lancashire Day proclamation at Market Gate in Warrington town centre.

For further information visit the BCC Facebook page.