VILLAGERS are protesting about proposals which would see them moved to a neighbouring constituency – which they say would end some major historical ties.

The plans involve moving the large village of Great Ayton into the Thirsk and Malton constituency while Stokesley - less than three miles away - remains in Richmondshire.

It is being looked at as part of reforms which see the number of MPs in the House of Commons reduced from 650 to 600.

Boundaries are being redrawn nationally to ensure that they contain equally-sized constituencies of between 71,000 and 78,500 electors, which is a legal requirement.

Many residents in Great Ayton are unhappy with the proposal and the parish’s existing MP, Rishi Sunak, says the decision is “disappointing”.

“This is disappointing as there is a strong logic for keeping Great Ayton together with Stokesley and other parts of the constituency,” he said.

“There are many aspects of life – social, economic, educational, historical and cultural – which connect Great Ayton to Stokesley.

“And on a more personal note, I would be sad to lose the right to represent a wonderful part of the constituency."

Hambleton District Councillor for Great Ayton, Richard Hudson, said: “If we are forced to go to the Thirsk and Malton constituency, we have every confidence in Kevin Hollinrake – I’m sure he would be a fantastic MP, but that isn’t really the issue.

“We feel there’s a big issue geographically given the North York Moors creates a massive divide between the village and the rest of the proposed constituency.”

Cllr Hudson said Great Ayton’s economy was served almost exclusively by the south of the North York Moors and then Teesside. He said the vast majority of students in the village attended Stokesley School after attending primaries in Great Ayton.

He added: “We feel that is a massive issue. But also, the change isn’t really necessary for Richmondshire. The Richmondshire constituency has 76,649 constituents, which is within the Government’s target for constituency numbers.

“We feel there are other wards to the south and towards the coast that look more to Malton. Realistically we can leave Richmondshire as it is and still fulfil the requirements of the boundary commission.”

Cllr Hudson and Mr Sunak urged people in Great Ayton to make their feelings known, either through the Boundary Commission’s website at; bce2018.org.uk/ or in person at public hearings in Northallerton on Thursday, October 20 and Friday, October 21. Those constituents who wish to make representations at the hearings, to be held at the Stone Cross offices of Hambleton District Council, need to do by registering via the same website.

Mr Sunak said he had contributed to an alternative proposal which was to be submitted to the Commission. This would keep Great Ayton in the constituency but still deal with numerical issues the Commission had elsewhere.

The deadline for representations and comments is December 5.