DELAYS over the crucial decision on local government reform are causing "considerable concern" to residents in Dorset.

That's the view from a leading campaign group in favour of council reorganisation in Dorset.

Writing to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, the chairman of Unite the Conurbation, Douglas Eyre raises concerns over the delay in the decision.

And the letter also hits out at councillors in Christchurch opposed to the change - as well as Christchurch MP Chris Chope.

It comes after Mr Chope announced plans for a 'Dorset summit' inviting the nine council leaders, constituency chairmen and MPs to try and break the deadlock over the issue.

The letter from Unite the Conurbation says: "Following our letter to you dated August 10 we received a reply from your office indicating that you were considering the proposals for a two council Dorset, rural and urban, and that we could expect a decision fairly soon.

"That is now almost three months ago and this delay is causing considerable concern for the many residents and businesses who want to see things happening."

The Future Dorset plans propose merging Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole councils into one authority.

The smaller councils of East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset, and Weymouth and Portland would also merge into a single authority if the plans are put into action.

It adds: "Whilst understanding that you have many important items on your agenda, we are particularly concerned that the opposition of the Christchurch MP and a group of Christchurch councillors seem to be the main cause of lack of progress.

"It is particularly frustrating to hear that the proposition from this small group, who seem opposed to any change at all, is that there is some sort of overwhelming opposition to the plans from the people of Christchurch as a whole.

"This is absolutely not true and, indeed, the scientifically based survey results supporting the proposals illustrates this.

"Certainly, as a group which has been campaigning for the need for a one conurbation government for some years, we are not aware of the opposition they suggest.

"This means, in simple terms, that the long-term benefits of our whole area could potentially be put at risk because of a lobbying campaign by a very small and unrepresentative group of people.

"We feel an excellent case has been made and we do ask that this momentum is not lost through delaying tactics by a small number of people."

It finishes: "Given the importance of this reform to present and future generations in our conurbation we sincerely hope that our concerns about delays, due to unrepresentative lobbying by a small minority, are not justified and look forward to receiving a positive response in the not too distant future."