COUNCILLORS have called for a public inquiry into the way the MSC Napoli disaster was dealt with.

Some Dorset County Council members feel they were 'informed' of proceedings rather than 'consulted' during the incident.

Now Colonel Geoffrey Brierley and Coun Hilary Cox are among those demanding a full inquiry into the decision-making process.

Crew members abandoned the MSC Napoli in January after experiencing difficulties during severe weather conditions.

Originally the vessel was going to be towed to Portland Harbour for refuge, but it was beached in Lyme Bay after fears it would break up.

Councillors aired their concerns after receiving an update on the response to the incident from Dorset County Council head of regulatory services Bill Jaggs.

Col Brierley said: "It's been said environmental groups and local authorities were consulted, but I don't believe that was the case.

"We were being told rather than being consulted. I do hope we'll be present for a full public inquiry."

Col Brierley questioned why the vessel was beached in Lyme Bay rather than taken to a designated refuge spot off Torquay in Devon.

He also argued that an emergency contact number for the public should have been provided as soon as the incident happened.

Coun Cox echoed Col Brierley's sentiments.

"It's not my belief that we were consulted - we were informed," she said.

"I'd like a little bit more clarity about the decision to beach a potentially dangerous vessel on a very special World Heritage Coast site."

Dorset County Council leader Angus Campbell conceded there were valid question marks over the way decisions were made.

"The Jurassic Coast is very important," he said. "We look forward to the correct inquiry at the correct time. I hope there will be a beginning to end look at this when the time is right."

Despite the concerns, Coun Campbell and Mr Jaggs paid tribute to the efforts of council staff and partner agencies in responding to the disaster.

"After it was beached the dynamics took over and everyone did what they could," Coun Campbell said. "And a terrific job appears to have been done. I'm sure lessons can be learnt, but at the moment the work seems to have been very effective."

Mr Jaggs added: "Sometimes fate deals a bad set of cards and you just have to make the best of the situation. It was a very dynamic response."