JOHN Probert writes (Letters, May 9) in support of a single unitary council for Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

This strikes me as a very dangerous proposition. Our three towns might border one another, but are very different places with different economies, cultures and distinctiveness. If the three councils merge, each town will lose its distinctiveness and local people will have less say over decisions on important issues.

A far better solution would be a partnership arrangement between Bournemouth and Poole, under which the two councils would share one staff but remain two separate authorities with two separate elected councils. We need more constructive joint working, but no to any mergers!

Peter Lucas

Landford Gardens, Bournemouth