Two councils on the south coast have announced plans to share senior management in a bid to make substantial savings.

Gosport BC has approached neighbouring Portsmouth City Council with a request for senior managerial support.

The move comes as both councils look to cut costs.

Gosport leader Mark Hook said: ‘I would expect that, over time, through seamless partnership working with Portsmouth, economies of scale and refreshed working practices across the two councils will mean that Gosport will be able to continue to provide good quality services as cuts to funding continues.'

Cllr Hook insisted the two councils would remain ‘entirely independent' and frontline services would continue to be provided by Gosport BC.

Cllr Donna Jones, leader of Portsmouth, said: ‘While nothing is formally agreed yet I am delighted by Gosport's confidence in our management team.

‘Each council will maintain its political independence but the move would help draw us together and open up opportunities for savings for both councils and their taxpayers in the future.'

Two other councils in the area - Havant BC and East Hampshire DC - have been working with a joint management arrangement since 2009 and recently announced they save almost £4m a year between them.