Dover's community directors have been given the green light by the Marine Management Organisation.

Neil Wiggins and Samantha Parker have now officially joined Dover Harbour Board as the voice of the people for the Port of Dover.

This comes after the Harbour Revision Order, which was approved by the MMO, received an objection from Dover Town Council - sparking controversy that the council was responsible for the delay.

This objection has now been branded "trivial" by the MMO report.

MP for Dover, Charlie Elphicke said: "It is fantastic news that the MMO has confirmed that Neil Wiggins and Samantha Parker can now join the board. With the powers to invest in the future and the port community fund, Dover is fast moving to become a community led port. Today witnesses a powerful step forward for our community."

The long awaited order will allow for key reforms at the Port of Dover to take place.

Community Directors Neil Wiggins and Samantha Parker will finally be able to take their seats after they were appointed in 2014 but have not been able to take up their posts due to delays.

Mr Elphicke said: "It's all a far cry from the dark days of five years ago when we feared all was lost. We will never forget how our port was set to be sold to the French or whoever.

"No one ever thought we'd stop the sell off. But we did. And no-one thought we'd ever see through port reform. Yet we have. We've come a long way together in five short years. This is another defining moment for Dover."

Neil Wiggins, now official community director, said: "I welcome the announcement by the MMO, the end to a lengthy period of uncertainty and the beginning of a new era. There is a great deal of work to do and I'm looking forward to getting on with the job."

The MMO report states: "The remaining two points of objection appear to the MMO to be inconsequential or ”trivial” for the purposes of the 1964 Act."

More to follow.