PLANS to replace Dorset's nine local authorities with just two present a "massive opportunity for policing", the county's police and crime commissioner (PCC) says.

Local government reorganisation - or LRG - will see one council for Weymouth and Portland, Purbeck, West Dorset and East Dorset, and another for Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

Representatives from Christchurch will challenge the plans after a public referendum showed support for the area remaining a district council.

Elections for each of the new councils will take place in May next year.

Officials at Dorset Police are also currently running a consultation on plans to merge the force with Devon and Cornwall Police. If the merger is given the green light, the new force would be responsible for some two-and-a-half million permanent residents living between Land's End and Highcliffe.

Dorset's PCC Martyn Underhill said: "LGR offers a massive opportunity for policing and a massive opportunity for the people of Dorset to get better service.

"We currently have a multi-agency safeguarding hub for children in Dorset, but we want an opportunity to create one for every vulnerable person in this county.

"We are discussing that with the two shadow authorities.

"I also think the changes will give us huge opportunities to tackle flytipping.

"There are so many opportunities with two new unitary authorities to change the way we police this county."

As reported, the police merger - if approved - will result in some top-level roles being lost, including one police and crime commissioner and one chief constable.

The two forces have been in a strategic alliance for several years. Some 25 per cent of all staff currently work across the three counties.

Mr Underhill said a new merged force will work well with Dorset's changing authorities.

"I welcome LGR," he said.

"I've always said I supported the two unitary concept, although I wanted just one. Two is better than nine, though."

Anyone who wants to have their say on the merger should visit futurepolicing.co.uk until Monday, August 27 to complete a survey.

The results of the survey will form part of a business case which will be submitted to the Home Office in the autumn.