People are being asked for their help in drawing up a new pattern of the council wards in Norwich.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England has started consultation over the electoral review for Norwich City Council.

The commission now needs information from people and groups to help it to produce a new pattern of wards to accommodate Norwich's 39 city councillors.

In drawing up new boundaries, the commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.

The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across Norwich.

Prof Colin Mellors, chair of the commission, said: 'We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Norwich. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.

'If you have a view about which communities or neighbourhoods should be part of the same council ward, then we want to hear from you. And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Norwich, then this consultation is for you.

'If you're interested in the way the city is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say.

'Your views will make a difference.

'We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of Norwich or just a small part of the city.

'Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in June.'

Norwich City Council currently has 39 city councillors, representing 13 wards, with three in each ward.

Elections are by thirds, which means people go to the ballot box for three of every four years, with a break in the fourth year.

The last time there was a review, in 2001, it saw the number of city councillors slashed from 48 to 39.

The city council had said it wanted to stick with the current 39 councillors, that each ward would still have three councillors and elections would still take place in thirds.Great Yarmouth Borough Council recently agreed to switch to all-out elections every four years, from May 2019. That came after a referendum result saw more than 69pc of the public back the change. The full council then voted for it.

People have until April 9 to submit their views in this consultation. Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.lgbce.org.uk.