THE leader of Bolton Council said it is unlikely the local authority would support radical proposals to give powers back to parishes.

Bob Howarth said they had not supported similar plans in the past and he believed the possible shake-up would be refused.

The proposals, set out in a Government white paper, aim to streamline the 10,000 English parishes by turning them into "quality" councils.

If given the go-ahead, the three town councils in Bolton would take over more services, which could possibly include markets, parking, litter collection, street lighting, road safety measures, parking, some aspects of leisure and tourism, libraries and museums.

Bolton Council leader Bob Howarth, said the proposals would need careful consideration.

"Bolton Metropolitan Council has never considered extending parish councils or their powers, so it will need discussion.

"There was a proposal for another parish council in a Bolton district a while ago but Bolton Council opposed it. We have not welcomed the extension of parish councils. We have always worked very well with them but if it was suggested that certain services were handed down, I would be surprised if the Council would want to see that happen.

"My suggestion is that these proposals are tried out in London first, that would be interesting."

The news has been met with enthusiasm from Horwich, Westhoughton and Blackrod town councils, who see the move as giving local services back to local people.

Leader of Westhoughton Town Council David Wilkinson said most issues can be dealt with at a local level.

"They will have to bring back Kearsley and Farnworth parish councils, and other places that have had parish councils in the past will want to bring them back.

"I think the best thing would be to parish the old borough areas so people at grass roots levels are dealing with local issues. That is the catalyst to move all this forward. People will want to come into councils and it will encourage people to stand for council who think they can offer something to their community."

The White Paper, Quality parish and town councils: a consultation paper, now invites comments before a possible debate in Parliament.