NEW Harbour Orders for Weymouth, Lyme Regis and West Bay have been delayed by several months because of the pandemic.

The earliest any is now likely to be considered by the Government is January or February, but even those dates may be pushed back.

It had been decided to update all of the orders to make them more in keeping with the modern world. The original order for Lyme Regis dates back to 1584.

The county’s harbour committee has been told that Bridport and Lyme Regis will now be considered together to make some financial savings.

The cost for Lyme Regis alone would have been £30,000 but adding West Bay to the order will cost an additional £6,000. The change should also avoid a potential fee increase.