LAST-DITCH efforts from Devon County Council to stop Exeter forming a break-away local authority has seen a senior officer approach the House of Lords for support.

With speculation mounting that Exeter's home-rule unitary bid has been successful, Peter Doyle, the head of external affairs for the county, has been writing to peers to outline why the move should not go ahead.

A decision had been expected during the visit of Gordon Brown and his Cabinet to Exeter Racecourse on Friday, but is now reported to be "imminent".

The Government needs to act quickly to be able to complete the parliamentary process during this session. To lobby late support, Mr Doyle has been writing to peers who he believes have a strong interest in local government. He has also agreed to meet members of the House of Lords on a trip to London this week.

Communities Secretary John Denham has been reviewing two options, following a public consultation. One would see Exeter going it alone as a unitary authority, but expanding its boundary to include areas like Exmouth. The other option is for a super council covering the entire county, excluding Plymouth and Torbay.

In a letter to Lord Smith of Clifton, Mr Doyle wrote: "Worryingly, it appears that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government intends to break up the existing excellent countywide services.

"If this proves to be the case it would fly in the face of all the independent evidence and advice."

He argues that the Secretary of State's predecessor judged Exeter to be "unaffordable" as a unitary council – a view endorsed by the Boundary Committee.