Christchurch council has started High Court proceedings as they continue to fight against the merger with Bournemouth and Poole.

The authority yesterday issued proceedings in the High Court for a Judicial Review of the Secretary of State's decision to implement local government reorganisation in Dorset.

The council received a response to its pre-action protocol letter last week advising that the Secretary of State was not prepared to withdraw the draft regulations.

But having sought further legal advice the council has decided to commence High Court proceedings.

Cllr David Flagg, leader of the council, said: “Having taken further legal advice we have decided to issue proceedings in the High Court for a Judicial Review. Since the regulations have been laid in Parliament, the advice we have received is that the council has an arguable case against the Secretary of State.

“The opinion of our legal team following the response we received last week has not changed and therefore it is important that we ask the courts to review the decision.

"Christchurch Borough Council and the majority of our residents remain opposed to local government reorganisation in Dorset and we firmly believe that the regulations drafted by the Secretary of State are beyond his powers.”

Having made an application the council will now wait for a judge to make a decision about whether the Judicial Review should be heard in the High Court.

The local government reorganisation in Dorset is due to be voted on by both the House of Commons and House of Lords tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon.