Residents in Dorset have given their ‘clear backing' to changing local government structures with support from three out of four people.

The results of a public consultation, which received 17,000 responses, found the county's population supported proposals to reduce the nine councils down to two unitary authorities - despite criticism the consultation was ‘biased'.

Dorset's police and crime commissioner, Martyn Underhill, warned in August that the consultation would only reach one in 10 people and said a referendum would be more democratic.

He also said the option of a single Dorset unitary authority should have been made available.

A study by consultants from PwC also found there was a compelling case for local government reorganisation in Dorset.

PwC partner, Scott Bailey, said: ‘While the current councils in Dorset are performing and working together well, the evidence suggests that they could achieve even more by reorganising and changing the way in which they operate and deliver services.'