Former Liverpool City Council boss Mike Storey wants to ditch the name Merseyside in favour of the new title based on his hometown.

But his idea - first raised in 2004 to near universial scorn across St Helens - hase provoked strong reactions from the town's politicians.

Coun Storey also by called on St Helens Council, among others, to stop promoting its own brand and instead fall in line with the current European Capital of Culture.

He told the City Talk breakfast show that St Helens, and other 'sub-regions of Liverpool', should be reorganised to create a Greater Liverpool region.

But the MP for St Helens North, Dave Watts, said: "You've got to look at where Mike Storey is coming from - he's a failed leader of Liverpool City Council and lacks credibility. St Helens has been a much more effectively run local authority than Liverpool for many years.

"Mike Storey would have to demonstrate that Liverpool City Council can run itself effectively. But at one point they were regarded as the worst council in Britain. Despite being the European City of Culture, the disfunctional general management of the council has been criticised on a regular basis and hardly inspires confidence."

Mr Watts added: "I know my constituents cherish their independence and would like to maintain it, unless there is an obvious advantage to them. St Helens is graded as a higher performing council than any of the others, so the likes of Liverpool have to bring themselves up to a standard where they can perform at the same level."

Local Tory leader Wally Ashcroft said it was important to work with neighbouring authorities but not to go 'cap in hand' with them.

Coun Ashcroft added: "St Helens' identity and heritage are paramount - we are far more than a satellite region of Liverpool. I believe in co-operating with neighbouring authorities but not surrendering control to them.

"Although St Helens and Liverpool are close, they are quite different. Surely we are in a better position than Mike Storey to know what needs doing in our local communities."

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