COUNCIL bosses have welcomed £86,000 government funding to support the Brexit transition.

The money is part of £10million set aside for port areas across the country to support local preparations for the end of the transition period.

BCP Council, which has the port of Poole within its borders, will receive the money alongside the other key south west ports Plymouth and Bristol.

Leader of BCP Council Drew Mellor said: "BCP Council will be receiving additional EU transition capacity funding from central government at the end of November.

"This £86k funding will help the area of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole prepare for the end of the transition period and support business continuity in the eventuality of disruption arising from changes at the port of Poole and borders."

Cllr Mellor also said the council is working with local partners including the Dorset Local Resilience Forum multi agency partnership (LRF) and the Civil Contingencies Unit.

"Extensive preparations have been made for the impact of the ending of the EU transition period on the local area," said Cllr Mellor. "This includes ensuring appropriate infrastructure capacity is in place to facilitate the transportation of goods in and out of the country through the port of Poole and we are confident that these preparations will help towards a smooth transition.”

Meanwhile, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "As we approach the end of the transition period and look to the opportunities that lie ahead, we’re giving key councils in the south west £258,000 to help them with crucial preparations.

"This funding will help major port areas with local priorities such as traffic and waste management, ensuring a smooth transition in the new year.”

The UK has been in the transition period, where it remains in both the EU customs union and single market, since leaving the European Union on January 31 this year. But on December 31 this period comes to an end.

Currently, despite reports of progress on a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, no final deal has been agreed.

If by December 31 there is still no agreement, trade between the UK and the EU will default to World Trade Organisation rules, meaning tariffs would be set on many imports and exports.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: "This share of the additional £10 million comes on top of £704 million government investment into UK borders, including £470 million for port infrastructure."