COST-saving measures will see one coroner covering the whole of Dorset.

Dorset County Council is making changes to the service as the coroner for the west of the county prepares to step down.

West Dorset Coroner Michael Johnston, a Blandford-based solicitor, is retiring from his role at the end of October after 33 years of service. There are currently two coroners operating in the county with Mr Johnston, whose role is funded by Dorset County Council on a part-time basis, covering West Dorset, North Dorset and Weymouth and Portland while East Dorset Coroner Sheriff Payne covers Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Purbeck and Wimborne.

The costs for Mr Payne are shared between Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Poole.

From November Mr Payne will cover the whole of Dorset and inquests for the western part of the county will continue to be held at County Hall in Dorchester.

Council leader Angus Campbell praised the contribution of Mr Johnston and added that the council would be looking to find further savings once the single coroner system has been set up, with the current annual budget for the coroner’s service standing at around £1million.

He said: “Sharing a county-wide coroner service will save Dorset County Council 20 per cent on the current part-time coroner’s salary.”