THE fledgling row over where to put Selby in any local government shake-up has already escalated - as a campaign is under way to link the town with York.

North Yorkshire county councillor John Vause has launched the campaign - quickly backed by Selby MP John Grogan.

Three out of four of the draft options released for any council change would see Selby added to the East Riding.

Coun Vause said: "Selby and York share many things in common whereas there are few links between Selby and East Yorkshire.

"...The idea of linking up my ward, which borders on to Knottingley, with Bridlington, is ludicrous."

The campaign will further complicate the debate over what is becoming known as "the Selby problem," as City of York Council is unanimous it does not want York's borders changed in the shake-up.

York residents have also made it clear they want to leave the city borders unaltered.

But Mark Crane, Tory leader of Selby District Council, supports the East Riding proposals.

He said he did not want the council to be anywhere it was not wanted, such as York.

Coun Crane said: "York has made its views clear and I respect those views."

Coun Crane said his preferred option from the four on the table was the county-wide unitary authority for North Yorkshire.

Linking up with the East Riding was the second best.

"The East Riding would welcome us and we have a lot in common. We are both large rural areas, the people of Selby have a lot in common with the people of the East Riding."

But Coun Crane said the whole reorganisation process was being carried out incorrectly.

He said a regional assembly referendum should have been held before looking at the local government system.

The debate was raging because the Government has said local councils had to change if there is a Yes vote in the regional assembly referendum.

The four draft options were revealed in York yesterday. A 12-week consultation process is now under way.

Updated: 14:14 Tuesday, December 02, 2003