UNITING the conurbation under one local authority would create 'a thriving cosmopolitan city'.

That was the key message from university professor Gerry Stoker as he set out the potential benefits of merging Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole at a public meeting on Monday.

Mr Stoker, a professor of politics and governance at the University of Southampton, said the region had the opportunity to become "the Greater Manchester of the South".

In front of a crowd of around 20 councillors, residents and local businesspeople, Mr Stoker discussed the potential economic and social benefits of bringing the three boroughs under one local government.

Speaking to the Echo after the meeting, which was organised by the group Uniting the Conurbation, Mr Stoker said the region's economy would be stronger under one authority.

"We are living in a much more globally-competitive environment," he said.

"Some cities are failing or shrinking and some cities are developing. The choice that every urban area has is, is it going to be a shrinking city or is it going to be a growing cosmopolitan city."

Mr Stoker said there is greater support for political devolution, partly due to public opinion in Scotland.

And he claimed the public has "completely lost faith in Whitehall departments to change anything effectively" which has provided further support for local authorities to have greater powers.

He said it was down to the people of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch to determine the future of the region.

"Whether we like it or not we are facing a call," he said.

"Do we establish a government structure for the conurbation to lead us in this new global world or do we just let the opportunity drift by?

"This is a chance for Bournemouth and the surrounding areas. Does it want to be the Greater Manchester of the south?"

And when the big question of what to call the conurbation cropped-up, the Cherries provided a fruitful response.

He said: "If Bournemouth gets into the Premiership, and hopefully they will, that would be a phenomenal promotion for the name Bournemouth."

Uniting the Conurbation claims there is a "massive and very costly duplication of administrative resources" having separate local authorities.

In its manifesto, it says the "lack of joined-up, dynamic vision for the conurbation send mixed messages over planning, transport and economic development when, for example, a coherent marketing strategy is vital to attract inward investments and promote tourism."