A pair of councillors are pushing forward plans for a split in Kirklees Council.

Councillor Gordon North (Lab, Spen) and Councillor Tim Crowther (Lab, Heckmondwike) want Kirklees to be split into two separate councils, so that the Spen Valley, Batley and Dewsbury runs its own affairs, as would Huddersfield. They also want a referendum to be held to allow the public to vote on the matter.

Coun North claimed to have the backing of more than 300 constituents after including a cut-out coupon on his election leaflet asking people to reply with their support for the idea.

"We had more than 100 responses per week, over the three-week period," he said.

"Most people in Huddersfield believe Council money is coming here, but a disproportionate amount is spent in Huddersfield."

Despite area committees having been established across the district, the councillors feel they are not given enough power.

Coun Crowther said: "I think Kirklees is a poor institution, but all local government is, and I have the benefit of having seen it from the inside. I feel the system doesn't work very well - local government certainly - in the sense of it representing anybody's views."

Leader of Kirklees Conservative group, Councillor Robert Light said: "This idea is going nowhere. The Government has said quite clearly that it is a non-starter. The Boundary Commission told every councillor and every political party there was no way they would consider any proposals to split Kirklees.

"Personally, I am still very supportive of it, as are most members of the Conservative group, but it is not going to happen."