Halton could be split in two at the ballot box if the latest review of Parliamentary boundaries is given the go ahead.

The Boundary Commission for England has published its latest recommendations for a shake-up of constituencies in an effort to rebalance the number of voters in each area, with the number of seats in England set to increase from 533 to 543.

Under the plans, the constituency of Halton – currently held by Labour’s Derek Twigg MP and which includes Widnes and most of Runcorn - would cease to exist and two new Parliamentary seats would be created.

One would be called Widnes and Halewood, and would combine the town of Widnes with parts of South Liverpool and Whiston.

Weaver Vale – currently represented by Labour’s Mike Amesbury MP and which includes parts of east Runcorn – would be split up, with the whole of Runcorn being combined into one constituency called Runcorn and Helsby, while the other parts of Weaver Vale would form a new Mid Cheshire seat.

The changes would only impact on how votes are counted during general elections. Halton Council wards would remain the same, and Halton would still remain a single borough under one local authority.

Initial proposals were published last June and opened to public consultation. The latest set of recommendations only show minimum changes since then, with just a small section of the proposed Whiston part of the Widnes and Halewood boundary being axed.

In his response to the first round of proposals last year, Derek Twigg MP wrote: “I realise it is not possible to have one parliamentary constituency for Halton, given that it would be too large to fit in with the commission’s criteria for constituency size.

"I support the commission’s proposal for two separate constituencies which will enable the whole of Runcorn to be in one parliamentary constituency, rather than split as it is now. I also welcome the proposal to have the whole of Widnes in one parliamentary seat."

He added: "The proposals take good account of community interest and connections. Having two MPs representing seats in the borough of Halton has been beneficial to Halton and these proposals continue this.”

Further consultation will now take place until December 5 and  the commission will decide whether to make any adjustments before giving its final set of recommendations to the Speaker of the House of Commons by July 1 next year.

Tim Bowden, Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said: “We now believe we are close to the best map of constituencies that can be achieved under the rules we are working to.

"However, we still want people to tell us what they think of this latest map before we submit our final recommendations to Parliament next year."

The public are invited to view and comment on the new map at bcereviews.org.uk.