DORSET is unlikely to get more Government cash despite a last-ditch bid for fairer funding.

A cross-party delegation of politicians united in London to demand more money from the Government to beat the county's council tax crisis.

The group, including county councillors and MPs, held a 45-minute meeting with a government minister to argue their case.

The show of strength was a late bid to win more money for Dorset and part of an action plan to keep council tax rises as low as possible.

Council leader Tim Palmer led the team which joined forces with all five Dorset MPs at a meeting with Christopher Leslie, Minister in the Office of the deputy Prime Minister yesterday.

The team presented its case for improved funding to solve the county's problem of high house prices and low average wages.

However, Mr Palmer admitted it was unlikely that there would be a change of heart at this stage.

He said: "Dorset lost out very badly as a result of the government's new formula for allocating money to local authorities.

"The government's proposal to take £12m away from Dorset council tax-payers simply because house prices are high is unfair by any standards, but especially considering our low incomes."

Mr Palmer added: "We put forward five clear points that highlight how Dorset has been unfairly treated, with suggestions on how the government could take action in each of these areas.

"No formula is perfect, but the government will need to hear powerful arguments for changes to be made."

Jim Churchouse, leader of the council's Labour group, said: "Our presentation was a combined team effort of all the political parties of the council and the minister said it was very well put together.

"But the likelihood of him authorising a new formula is probably very remote."

The deputation from Dorset included council leader Tim Palmer from the Conservatives, Labour leader Jim Churchouse, Lib Dem leader Gil Streets and director of resources Peter Lewis.

They joined forces with Dorset's five MPs - including Oliver Letwin and Jim Knight - to lobby Christopher Leslie, who is Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Office of the Deputy Prime-Minister.

The party argued that Dorset needed more money to help peg back potential council tax rises of 16.6 per cent.

They urged Mr Leslie to recognise that Dorset has low wages despite its high house prices and that the council has lost out in the way certain resources have been switched and re-arranged.