DORCHESTER'S relegation to Dorset & Wilts One South has been confirmed.

The county town outfit finished second bottom in Southern Counties South last term but had to wait to find out what league they would be contesting next season.

The confirmation is sure to please coach Chris Burton who made no secret of his preference to drop down a tier.

Meanwhile, Bridport's hopes of going the other way and gaining promotion to South-ern Counties South remain uncertain after a series of mixed messages from league officials.

The Blues, who lost out to Minety in last month's play-off, had originally been told that they would replace Sherborne in the higher tier because of the North Dorset club's desire to drop down into Dorset & Wilts One.

However, this was never formally agreed and on Sunday the Brewery Ground club contacted the league to clarify the situation, only to be told that it is now unlikely they will step up.

With next season's fixture list due out on June 20, Bridport are in the process of writing to the RFU to determine the outcome to this debacle, which has left them in limbo.

First team boss Paul Ninnim, who believed his side would be playing at a higher standard, is perplexed with the lack of communication and clarity coming his way.

He said: "Nobody knows what is going on, we were told we would take Sherborne's spot because they wanted to come down a league, but now we've been told the opposite.

"Hopefully with this letter we can find out what is happening, but we've been told so many conflicting things that I wouldn't bet on it changing again.

"The publishing of the fixtures should tell us what league we'll be in but I'm really frustrated with the situation."