A chief executive has contacted the police over leaks from his council.

David McIntosh called the Dorset force following a story in the Daily Echo about plans for a riverside marina, housing and shops on the civic offices site in Christchurch and nearby land.

Information emerged following a confidential briefing for councillors and officers at the Captain's Club on April 26.

Now in a private letter to councillors Mr McIntosh has told them he investigating the 'breach of confidentiality.'

He also told them he had "discussed the matter with the police.

But when approached by the Daily Echo, Mr McIntosh, who also chief executive of East Dorset District Council admitted the force was not interested.

"I contacted the police to understand their perspective on this," he said.

"They told me it is not a police matter. There is no investigation."

He defended the decision to include a reference to the police in his letter.

"I put it in my letter to members to let them know I had done it rather than do something behind their backs."

He added: "This is a very serious matter."

Mr McIntosh also asked the Daily Echo to reveal the sources for both the story and the existence of the investigation.

The request was declined.

It is also understood that council leader Ray Nottage told his Conservative group that the police were investigating.

One councillor told the Echo: "This is all nonsense. It is quite obvious this is not a police matter. Going to them on something like this makes us look a laughing stock."

Developers have come up with drafts proposals for the site which incorporates the civic offices, the former Mostyns site, the old gasworks and Two Riversmeet.