THE contest to become Bournemouth's next council leader is said to be "too close to call" ahead of tonight's crunch meeting.

Members of the ruling Conservative group are meeting at the town hall this evening to choose between Cllr Robert Lawton and Cllr Peter Charon as their nomination for the post.

Whoever wins will, subject to full council approval later this month, become the new leader of the council.

The Echo understands Cllr Lawton, a former factory manager at United Biscuits, is slightly ahead of Cllr Charon in the race.

But it's believed there are still a significant number of councillors who have not yet decided who to vote for and could have swung the ballot either way.

Amongst those said to be backing Cllr Lawton were Cllrs Nick King, Bob Chapman, Malcolm Davies, David Smith, Anne and Michael Filer.

Others understood to have been supporting Cllr Charon were Cllrs Ian Lancashire, Beverley Dunlop, John Beesley, Basil Ratcliffe and Elaine and Rod Cooper.

Whoever wins will be hoping to draw a line under what has been a tumultuous few weeks for local Conservatives.

These have seen the shock resignations of council leader Stephen MacLoughlin and of John Beesley as chair of planning.

Another top Tory and cabinet member, Cllr Doug Spencer is currently suspended from the Conservative Party following a high-level investigation into his conduct while chair of the Bournemouth West Conservative Association.

Cllr Rob Lawton has been a councillor since May 2007 and represents West Southbourne. Cllr Peter Charon, a former property developer and landlord, was also first elected in Bournemouth in May 2007 and represents Redhill and Northbourne.