CONSERVATIVES took all the Christchurch seats in the county council elections last week.

However there were mixed opinions at the count on whether the county authority would exist in two years time, as proposals to dissolve it and create a new unitary are currently awaiting a decision by the Government.

The local government reorganisation (LGR), or Future Dorset plan, would see Christchurch Borough Council merged with Bournemouth and Poole.

Chris Chope, the leading anti-merger campaigner and the Conservatives' prospective parliamentary candidate for Christchurch, said he was confident the newly-elected county councillors would be serving for four years not just two.

Speaking at the Christchurch and East Dorset count at the Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, he said: "The Government will have enough on its hands with Brexit without stirring up the hornet's nest of LGR, for which there is no consensus."

However senior Christchurch councillor Trevor Watts said: "Dorset County Council has voted to abolish itself and I predict it will not exist in two years.

"There is no alternative plan on the table. This is all about maintaining services and in this part of the world that's critical."

David Jones was elected in Burton Grange division, Peter Hall in Christchurch Central, Margaret Phipps in Commons, Lesley Dedman in Mudeford and Highcliffe and Colin Jamieson in Walkford. All held their seats.

Across the county the Tories won 32 seats, the Liberal Democrats 11, the Green Party 2 and Labour 1.

Although turnout was initially predicted to be disappointing, in fact it was not much lower than four years ago. In Christchurch turnout was 33 percent and 36 percent in East Dorset.

The big surprise of the night was that county council Tory leader Robert Gould lost his seat in Sherborne.

The ruling Conservative group meets on Monday to elect a new leader with Spencer Flower, Rebecca Knox and Deborah Croney thought to be in the running.

Cllr Gould replaced Cllr Flower three years after he was forced to resign.

Former UKIP parliamentary candidate in Christchurch, Robin Grey failed to win a seat in the Moors division. He said he would support Chris Chope in the general election.