Rules which govern the exercising of dogs in Weymouth are expected to continue in place for an extra year or more.

The public spaces protection order was due for a review and a public consultation this winter – but has now been delayed.

Public protection manager at the borough council, Graham Duggan, said a delay with a similar order in North Dorset meant staff were unable to look at the Weymouth order in time and the council risked a period where there was no order in place – coinciding with the start of the new Dorset Council.

He told members of the borough policy development committee on Monday evening that after seeking legal advice it had been decided to extend the existing order until the end of the summer season and then carry out the consultation next September, which would also be able to include the new Weymouth Town Council.

If that happened new orders could be ready for Easter 2020.

Mr Duggan said that it was possible the new town council could be responsible for ‘policing’ the order on behalf of the Dorset Council, which already happens in Lyme Regis.

The existing orders have proved controversial in Weymouth with some dog owners holding protests and demanding a longer period when they can exercise their dogs on the town beach.