Extra help ought to be found for local young people hoping to buy their own homes – Weymouth Town Council has been told.

Cllr Christine James says that some of the money collected in 'developer contributions' when schemes are built in the area, ought to now be returned to Weymouth.

She said that little had been heard about what is known as Section 106 funding for the town since the borough council was disbanded at the end of March.

She said the last she heard at least £300,000 was in the fund, allocated to the area.

“I would like to suggest setting up a scheme to help young people from the town with mortgages, or help with deposits...the time has come to look at doing something for our young, working, population who are putting something into society but struggling to get a home of their own,” she said.

Town clerk Jane Biscombe said that there was nothing to stop the town council setting up such a scheme under its 'powers or competency' but added that the 106 funding was held by Dorset Council.

The town council could apply for funding from it, but did not have what she described as open access to it.