THE biggest ever shake-up to parliamentary boundaries which could see the number of MPs cut from 650 to 600 has been published.

Conservative MP Esther McVey's seat in Tatton would disappear under the Boundary Commission for England's final recommendations, which follow two and a half years of consultation.

The contentious proposals, which still need to secure the backing of MPs and peers, have been laid before Parliament, which approved the principle of reducing MPs in 2011.

The changes will come into force at the next election in 2020 if they are approved.

Maps of many constituencies have been redrawn to even up population levels.

Sam Hartley, secretary to the Commission, said: "We've taken account of over 35,000 public comments and heard many impassioned views about how best to reflect local communities.

"We're confident that the map we propose is the best match of the legal rules Parliament have set us.

"It's now up to Parliament to decide whether these boundaries will be used at the next general election."

Tatton would be replaced by a new seat called Altrincham and Knutsford and would see the wards of High Legh, Knutsford and Mobberly included in a new cross boundary constituency with eight Trafford wards, including the town of Altrincham.

The Northwich parts of Tatton are set to be moved into Weaver Vale and Eddisbury.

During consultation many Cheshire east residents said they would have preferred to be placed in a Macclesfield constituency.

They argued that the urban character of Altrincham did not fit with the small market town of Knutsford. Residents were concerned about how the different needs of the two counties would affect their representation.

Labour Mike Amesbury's Weaver Vale constituency is set to lose Runcorn as the Halton constituency is renamed Widnes and Runcorn.

It will gain areas to the east and west.

Mr Amesbury said: “I’m disappointed that these proposals would result in some of the heart being ripped out of my constituency in east Runcorn, including Halton Lea where my office is based. These are some of the areas that have borne the brunt of the government’s failed and ideologically-driven austerity agenda.

“In a wider context, this whole review is little more than an unconstitutional power grab by the government looking to tip things in its favour and tighten its grip on Parliament.”

Eddisbury will lose Audlem to Crewe and Nantwich and gain more of Northwich.

Conservative Fiona Bruce's constituency of Congleton remains much the same.

The proposed new constituences would have the following populations Altrincham and Knutsford 77,647, Congleton 71,287, Eddisbury 72,293 and Weaver Vale 72, 496.

For more details visit bce2018.org.uk/node/6487.