Major changes have been announced to the way in which local councils will work across Bridport.

Dorset Council has announced that, from April 1 2024, the existing councils of Allington, Bothenhampton & Walditch, Bradpole and Bridport will combine to become one local authority.

The changes will see the number of councillors reduced from 44 down to 20.

The new council will see the creation of five wards within the area - representing Bradpole, Bothenhampton & Walditch, Bridport Central, Bridport West & Allington, and West Bay.

Symondsbury will continue as a separate rural parish council, albeit with some changes to its boundary, and Dorset Council remains the principal authority for the area.

Dorset Council published a report earlier in the year recommending that the four parishes making up the built-up area of Bridport should be served by one council.

That merger, and a date, has now been confirmed.

Councillor David Rickard, Bridport Town Council leader, said: "We think that this is the right outcome for Bridport, and we look forward to working with the parish councils between now and 2024 to develop the new-look council.

"We had a strong debate and there were differing views, and town and parish councillors now need to apply that same passion to delivering on the detail, in the interests of all Bridport residents.

"We look forward to working with our parish colleagues, and it is very much my hope that they will look to be a part of the new council by standing for election.”

Bridport Town Clerk Will Austin said: “We know it will be a major undertaking to deliver the new council from April 2024, and I’m pleased that town councillors are already planning for everything that needs to happen between now and then.

"As well as working with parish councils to develop the detail of the legal, governance, financial, and service provision aspects, councillors have already said that they want the widest possible community involvement.

"It’s very much my view that this can only be a good thing in delivering the best for our town.”

Dorset Council is expected to issue a legal order shortly, confirming the legal basis for the changes.

Once the order is in place, Bridport Town Council will work with the local community to bring about the revised arrangements.