COUNCILLORS in Christchurch are being asked to support the setting up of a town council in the event of the borough being swallowed up in a conurbation 'super unitary'.

Creating a town council would be the only way to save the ancient borough's mayoralty which dates back 700 years.

Plans are well advanced for Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch to merge into one council, although councillors in all three are yet to vote on the issue and the government will have the final say.

The leaders of the nine Dorset councils meet next week to plot a way forward in a bid to create just two unitaries, one in the conurbation and the other in rural part of the county.

At a special meeting of Christchurch council on Tuesday, members will be asked for their views on the public consultation and financial analysis and to back a town council if it becomes necessary to have one.

The current mayor, Cllr Trish Jamieson told the Echo it was vital to keep the mayoralty alive.

"It is part and parcel of this ancient borough's history and tradition and it would be an absolute tragedy if we did not have it.

"I have been very proud and privileged to hold the office of mayor and I hope I will many hundreds of successors, just as I have many hundreds of predecessors."

The ruling Conservatives have voted on the next two mayors after Cllr Jamieson leaves office in May.

They are Cllr Nick Geary in 2017/2018 and Cllr Lesley Dedman in 2018/2019.

David McIntosh, Chief Executive, Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, said: “When members meet on 13 December to share their opinions on local government reorganisation in Dorset it is hoped they will come to a view for the Leader to take forward. This may include the creation of a town council for Christchurch.

“Since the discussions about local government reorganisation have come about, councillors in Christchurch have expressed a view that they would want to retain local representation of residents’ views. A town council could deliver this whilst continuing the civic traditions of the borough.

"It is important that members are given the opportunity to fully debate the options available to them and share their views on their preferred way forward.”

n The first Mayor of Christchurch was John Leshelm in 1297.