PROPOSALS to get change the boundaries of some parliamentary constituencies have been published which would see 50 MPs dropped nationwide.

The proposals would shake-up the Wells constituency which Burnham currently falls within.

The intention of the national review is to bring balance to constituencies, with around 75,000 votes in each.

In Somerset, several towns and villages could be affected if the changes go ahead.

Under the proposed changes for the Wells constituency, Conservative MP James Heappey stands to gain an area including East and West Huntspill, Pawlett, Puriton and Woolavington.

It would also gain voters in the Sedgemoor District Council wards of Burnham Marine and Knoll to the south and east of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge.

These areas are currently split in two, with people in part of the ward voting in the Wells Constituency and people in the remaining area voting in the Bridgwater and West Somerset seat.

It would however mean that the Wells MP would no longer serve Shepton Mallet and the Mendip villages to the north.

MP for Wells James Heappey siad: "I love serving as the Member of Parliament for all who live in the current Wells Constituency and my first preference would be to continue serving all of these communities in the next Parliament. But I accept that we must equalise the size of all constituencies and so boundaries must be withdrawn.

"The early proposals mostly maintain the Wells Constituency and whilst I would be sad to no longer represent Shepton Mallet and the Mendip villages to the north, it would be an absolute honour to represent the residents of Huntspill, Pawlett, Woolavington and Puriton instead.

"That said, these are merely the initial proposals and there is a strong chance of revision once the consultation is complete. Whatever the commission decides, I will serve my existing constituency to the best of my ability and very much hope to serve the new one in the future."