Cornwall Council has asked for an extension to the consultation being carried out over plans to merge Devon and Cornwall Police with Dorset Police, writes Richard Whitehouse, local democracy reporter.

A debate was held at Cornwall Council regarding the plans to merge the two police forces.

It was added to the council agenda after a request from Liberal Democrat group leader Malcolm Brown which came with a recommendation that the council oppose the merger.

However, after a long debate the council voted in favour of asking the police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to extend the consultation over the merger and to request a full business case for the merger to be given to the council so that it can make an informed decision as to whether to support the plans.