The Liberal Democrat leader at Warwick District Council has said he is not surprised that neighbours Stratford have 'pulled the plug' on the merger between the two councils.

It was revealed on Wednesday night that the new South Warwickshire 'super council' would not be going ahead after Stratford-on-Avon District Council asked Secretary of State Michael Gove to delay his decision on the merger.

The two councils will now vote separately to decide whether or not to withdraw the merger request sent to government.

But speaking at this week's cabinet meeting Lib Dem leader Cllr Alan Boad said it was a familiar story.

"It was clear that we have two councils, one which is averse to risk - that couldn't take it, and one which is a bit more adventurous and more successful.

"You could say that Stratford is conservative with a big 'C' and a little 'c' as it is clearly both.

"I didn't think I'd ever say 'I am not surprised' but this is the third attempt we have ever had with doing anything wit Stratford and not one of them has continued.

"This was the biggest one but we have had combined services in the past but it never worked and they always fell apart.

"We were just hoping that third time lucky they might actually see the light but they haven't so they have pulled the plug."

The two councils had voted in favour of the merger last December before writing to Mr Gove just before Christmas to ask for the two councils to join.

The process was already underway with the council already sharing a number of services including a new bin collection scheme.

And whilst questions still remain about whether this will continue as planned, Cllr Boad said it was good that SDC had backed out now before the merger was given the green light.

"It is disappointing but it is the right decision from our point of view," he added.

"We kept talking about a marriage, well we have got out of it without having to pay for a divorce.

"We have saved some money there but its not the way we wanted it to be and its not the way of the future."