A row has been raging across Northumberland over plans to split the county's new unitary council into three 'characteristic' areas and 27 smaller 'belonging' groups.

But Castle Morpeth Council leader Peter Jackson has called for the dispute to be set aside to focus on services, saying any boundaries should evolve naturally.

"The 'belonging communities' should emerge over a period of time. This enthusiasm to impose them in a big rush is leading to problems," he said.

"They are a good idea, but they should take two or three years, or possibly more, to evolve naturally.

"The problem in trying to impose them too quickly is that it has taken people's eyes off the ball. I think they are a side-show.

"The real issue should be to improve services and improve delivery of services across a wide area like Northumberland."

Coun Jackson spoke out at a recent joint meeting of borough and parish members at Longhirst Hall when concerns were raised about where certain villages would fit into the new structure.

He said the limited number of councillors in the unitary authority added to pressure to get the boundaries right.

"We are only going to have 67 councillors on the new council and they could each cover five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten parishes within a vast geographical area.

"It is not possible for one councillor to be split into three 'characteristic' areas.

"You can't split yourself up like that when the numbers are at such a low level.

"There is a real practical problem there and that is another reason why these boundaries should evolve over time," he said.

His comments came after concerns were raised by Whalton member Sue Richardson.

"Whalton is right on the border and wherever we end up is going to affect one of the characteristic boundaries," she said.

"I would like to have a little bit more consultation on this and have our views heard and represented," she said.