The interests of Lincolnshire would be swamped by neighbouring counties if it became part of an East Midlands regional assembly, an MP says.

Douglas Hogg, the Tory member for Sleaford and North Hykeham, said Lincolnshire was different from other counties in the region.

Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire all have major industrial centres, whereas Lincolnshire is a rural county, he said.

Mr Hogg - a former agriculture minister - was responding to the government's plan to establish regional assemblies.

Mr Hogg: "Assemblies remote"

English regions are to get the chance to have their own elected assemblies under plans announced in the Queen's Speech last week.

Mr Hogg said: "Most people (in Lincolnshire) would conclude that their interests would be swamped by the interests of the industrial centres."

Police resources and transport investment would likely be diverted away from Lincolnshire in favour of other counties, he said.

'Greater affinity'

Local councils could be abolished in favour of the assemblies, he said.

"If that was the case, accountability would be more remote, and that is not something people want."

Mr Hogg said Lincolnshire felt a greater affinity with regions such as Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

However, he would also oppose being grouped with them in a regional assembly.

"I am against regional governments... they add more bureaucracy, more professional politicians and they make government more remote."