The chamber said Inverness is Scotland's fastest growing city

The organisation said Highland councillors would discuss the proposal at a meeting on Friday.

Simon Cole-Hamilton, the chamber's chief executive, said the potential demise of Inverness area committee would impact on the city's businesses.

Restructuring is being considered in line with Scottish Executive and Boundary Commission guidelines.

New multi-member wards are to be introduced to replace Highland's 80 existing single member wards.

Councillors have had private meetings throughout the region to discuss reducing committees and meetings.

They have also to decide how they can keep three provosts.

Special meeting

The local authority's chief executive, Arthur McCourt, will outline details about restructuring at a special council meeting in Gairloch.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said proposals affecting the Highland capital's area committee comes at a time when it was growing in terms of size and economy.

He said: "It is as if we are being wiped off the face of the map.

"How can we function as a city if we are reduced to a collection of autonomous wards?