East Londonderry and West Tyrone could disappear under proposed boundary changes

The East Londonderry constituency could disappear under new proposals from the Boundary Commission.

The move would see Northern Ireland’s 18 parliamentary constituencies reduced from 18 to 17.

The constituency, represented in Westminster by MP Gregory Campbell, is to be renamed Glenshane.

The new boundary line would stretch south to Lough Neagh, while the Coleraine ward will move to the new Dalriada constituency.

The area would also lose Castlerock, University, Quarry, Waterside, Churchland, Mountsandel, Windy Hall, Dundooan, Portrush and Dunluce, Hopefield, Atlantic, and Portstewart to Dalriada, which is largely made up of the North Antrim constituency.

Elsewhere, West Tyrone will become known as North Tyrone and include ten new wards from Mid-Ulster.

Oaklands, Cookstown East, Cookstown West, Cookstown South, Coagh, Ardboe, Stewartstown, Donaghmore, Pomeroy and Loughrey would all move into the new constituency.

Mullaghmore will also move to North Tyrone from Fermanagh and South Tyrone, which will in turn gain eight wards from West Tyrone including Newtownsaville, Fintona, Dromore, Trillick, Drumquin, Glenderg, Castlederg and Newtownstewart.

Strabane and Omagh would remain key towns, with Pomeroy, Cookstown West and East and Ardboe now included.

Foyle is one of eight constituencies to retain their names but see slight changes to boundaries.

Four public hearings are planned during October in Ballymena, Omagh, Belfast and Portadown to let voters have their say on the proposals.