HINTS of a breakthrough in the search for a new waste transfer station for Bridport were dropped this week.

County Councillor Sandra Brown suggested a solution to the long running saga could be imminent.

"I know what the position is but I can't tell you," she told members of the town council's plans committee on Monday.

Members were discussing an application to further extend the operating licence for the temporary civic amenity station in South Street.

The unit has already been there several years longer than originally planned while the search continues for a suitable new waste transfer site.

Coun Brown said although the county council would not say definitely how long it would continue there she hinted that the end was now in sight.

"It is very likely that this is the last time it will be coming to us - I can't say more than that," she told the meeting.

Mayor Geoff Ackerman said it was high time the county council found another site.

"We are still in the same boat as we were seven years ago," he said. "It is high time they got their act together. They do a wonderful job down there but it's just not big enough."

Coun David Tett agreed - on busy weekends cars queued out onto the main road.

But Coun Tony Tiltman said the site had been very well run and until an alternative was found he did not think they could do without it.

Members agreed to support a further extension of the operating licence.