COUNTY councillor numbers are to be cut from nine to eight in the Forest of Dean as part of the final recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission.

If the recommendations are adopted there will be a total of 53 county councillors in 53 divisions across Gloucestershire as opposed to the current 63 councillors in 53 divisions.

Suggested changes including moving Plump Hill into Mitcheldean from the proposed Drybrook and Lydbrook division were rejected by the Commission.

The new electoral arrangements should come into force by the next county elections in May 2013.