THOUSANDS of residents could soon find themselves living in different council wards following proposals to wipe many historic names off the political map.

Sweeping changes to the make up of each of the borough's 20 wards will be made if the Boundary Commission decides to push ahead with the proposals.

Under the plans, some wards -- including, Deane-cum-Heaton, Daubhill and Blackrod -- will disappear forever with names, such as Crompton, Rumworth and Great Lever, taking their place.

The changes have been made to ensure the electoral population is shared more equally around the 20 council districts.

Currently almost 13,700 eligible voters live in Deane-cum-Hardy while just 8,038 live in Tonge.

The changes are expected to be introduced in time for the 2004 local elections when every councillor will have to stand for re-election.

The biggest shake-up comes in the centre of Bolton with the creation of a new Crompton ward, encompassing parts of the existing Tonge, Bradshaw, Bromley Cross, Astley Bridge, Halliwell and Central wards.

Since the last boundary review back in 1978, Bolton's electorate has grown by seven per cent to 205,832.

Leader of Conservative group, Councillor Alan Rushton, said it was a shame to lose some of the more famous names in the borough. He said: "I think a lot of people hold great affection for the names of areas. Personally I am very sad to lose Deane because it goes back a long way in Bolton's history.

"On the brighter side I am happy that one of the new ward names recognises the birth places of the great industrialist Samuel Crompton."

Cllr Rushton, who lost his Blackrod seat following the last boundary changes in 1980 before triumphing in Deane-cum-Heaton, said many councillors would be concerned for their political futures.

He said: "A lot of council members will be looking at this report and trying to work out how it will affect them.

"My own ward has lost around 3,500 voters so I just hope history doesn't repeat itself!" Many of the Committee's recommendations have been based on the proposals of the Liberal Democrats Group.

Lib Dem spokesman Councillor Roger Hayes said: "Everybody has a different view on how the boundaries should be changed and I am happy the committee have found ours to be the most sensible."

Labour councillor Cliff Morris, of the Halliwell ward, said he did not believe voters would be affected too much by the changes.

"People will soon adapt to the new political boundaries. The population has changed and so should we."

An eight week period of public consultation will now take place before the final decision is published in August.

THOUSANDS of residents could soon find themselves living in different council wards following proposals to wipe many historic names off the political map.

Sweeping changes to the make up of each of the borough's 20 wards will be made if the Boundary Commission decides to push ahead with the proposals.

Under the plans, some wards - including, Deane-cum-Heaton, Daubhill and Blackrod - will disappear forever with names, such as Crompton, Rumworth and Great Lever, taking their place.

The changes have been made to ensure the electoral population is shared more equally around the 20 council districts.

Currently almost 13,700 eligible voters live in Deane-cum-Hardy while just 8,038 live in Tonge.

The changes are expected to be introduced in time for the 2004 local elections when every councillor will have to stand for re-election.

The biggest shake-up comes in the centre of Bolton with the creation of a new Crompton ward, encompassing parts of the existing Tonge, Bradshaw, Bromley Cross, Astley Bridge, Halliwell and Central wards.

Since the last boundary review back in 1978, Bolton's electorate has grown by seven per cent to 205,832.

Leader of Conservative group, Councillor Alan Rushton, said it was a shame to lose some of the more famous names in the borough. He said: "I think a lot of people hold great affection for the names of areas. Personally I am very sad to lose Deane because it goes back a long way in Bolton's history.

"On the brighter side I am happy that one of the new ward names recognises the birth places of the great industrialist Samuel Crompton."

Cllr Rushton, who lost his Blackrod seat following the last boundary changes in 1980 before triumphing in Deane-cum-Heaton, said many councillors would be concerned for their political futures.

He said: "A lot of council members will be looking at this report and trying to work out how it will affect them.

"My own ward has lost around 3,500 voters so I just hope history doesn't repeat itself!" Many of the Committee's recommendations have been based on the proposals of the Liberal Democrats Group.

Lib Dem spokesman Councillor Roger Hayes said: "Everybody has a different view on how the boundaries should be changed and I am happy the committee have found ours to be the most sensible."

Labour councillor Cliff Morris, of the Halliwell ward, said he did not believe voters would be affected too much by the changes.

"People will soon adapt to the new political boundaries. The population has changed and so should we."An eight week period of public consultation will now take place before the final decision is published in August.