Councils across Leicestershire are gearing up for potential legal action against a planned expansion of the city's boundaries, it has been announced.

Leicestershire County Council, along with Blaby District Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, have all confirmed they have sent a pre-action letter to the Government around a potential judicial review.

This is the first step against Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans, which would have seen a host of county towns and villages swept up within a new, wider Leicester border, but the plan was officially paused on Monday (September 7) after the Government received new legal advice.

The pause affects 14 areas, including Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

At the time, Secretary of State for Local Government Angela Rayner said the pause was so she could "satisfy [herself] firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law".

However, multiple councils across the county have now confirmed they have sent a legal letter to the Government as a first step toward potentially launching a judicial review against the decision.

A pre-action letter outlines the details of a potential legal dispute and focuses on the reasoning, evidence and process underlying the Government's decision.

Reform leader Cllr Dan Harrison previously said that the Government's decision around LGR was "flawed".

He added: "We cannot ignore the strength of feeling across the communities affected.

"Dozens of towns and villages face being swallowed up by a city expansion and we must do everything we can to protect their character and future services."

Five district and borough councils have said they will issue a pre-action letter to the Government, as they say any delay may mean they lose the opportunity to challenge the decision.

Cllr Samia Haq, Liberal Democrat leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, said: "Throughout this process, Oadby & Wigston Borough Council has consistently argued that our borough's future should not be as part of a Leicester city authority.

"We continue to believe that residents are best served by arrangements that maintain strong local connections, accountability and a clear local voice.

"While the Government reviews its recent decision, it is only sensible that the Council takes the necessary steps to protect its position and preserve all available options. Sending a pre-action letter is part of that process."

Conservative leader Cllr Ben Taylor also said that it was "an important issue for residents and communities across Blaby".

He added: "Given the scale of the government's preferred option, it is right that we take the necessary steps to protect our legal position and ensure the proposals have been properly considered."

Meanwhile, Lib Dem leader Cllr Stuart Bray said the process had "already cost councils' time, effort and public money that should be focused on delivering local services".

He added: "Although the decision is paused, the legal deadline remains. With ministers yet to clarify its status and further information still being withheld, a pre-action letter is now needed to protect the council's position.

"Residents deserve clarity, openness and proper consideration of the evidence before any final decision is made."

Leicester City Labour mayor Sir Peter Soulsby previously told the LDRS he was confident the city expansion would proceed despite the pause.

He added: "The Government has made it very clear they are still committed to devolution. What this means is that it's going to take a little bit longer, and that is bad news for all of us, whatever our views are.

"It's clearly still going to happen, it's just not going to happen next year. They've pressed the pause button but it's their intention after they've had a chance to look at the processes that are needed for it [LGR], they are intending to go ahead".

The LDRS contacted the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for comment.