Communities are to split or united with others in a drastic redrawing of Dover district's council map.

The amount of wards would be shrunk from 21 to 16, and councillors reduced from 45 to 32 in recommedations voted through.

The proposals to the Boundary Commission for England were passed by majority vote at an extraordinary Dover District Council meeting last Wednesday.

Public consultation on the issue will continue until next Monday with another round later.

The wiping clean and redrawing of the district ward map would see the two Dover communities of St Radigund's and Buckland merged as one for the first time.

Tower Hamlets would also join Maxton and Elms Vale and the Priory section of the latter ward would join the present Town and Pier area.

The small twin community of Clarendon and Wesbury would for the first time be split between two new wards.

A specially formed Dover Town Ward is planned, which will include key areas: the Eastern Docks, the Castle, the present town centre precinct and the St James' leisure and shopping complex.

Deal town centre would be occupied by a new South Deal and Castle ward with and comprise of part of both the Deal Town Council and Walmer Parish Council catchment areas.

The joint community of Ringwould-with-Kingsdown would been split between enlarged Whitfield and Walmer wards.

Other rural wards would expand to take on more villages.

For the full details of how you and your community may be affected see this Wednesday's East Kent and Dover Mercuries.