Radical proposals affecting the Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency are being looked into by the Boundary Commission.

Statements from national and local politicians will be taken on Monday before the commission decides if there should be any changes to the size of the Darlington constituency.

Any changes would have a knock-on effect on Tony Blair's neighbouring Sedgefield constituency, which could lose 10,000 voters under the proposals.

It is feared the proposed changes could influence future election results.

Parish council

At the moment rural communities such as Hurworth and Middleton St George - which are administered by Darlington Borough Council - are part of Sedgefield constituency.

But parish councillors argue that the villages should be in Darlington.

Tony Blair's agent, John Burton, said no changes are necessary even though the villages are just a few miles from Darlington's town centre.

He said: "The people from those areas will shop in Darlington, but I shop in Darlington and so do the people of Sedgefield.

"They have been administered by Sedgefield since 1983 and affinities have grown up between the people of Hurworth and the people of Middleton St George with Sedgefield.

"I think it could be for Darlington's benefit if those areas remain in Sedgefield."