CARRY on as you are - that was the clear message from a survey of Eastleigh residents on the borough council's new set-up of having a leader with an executive cabinet.

Households across the borough were given three options set out by the government for councils to adopt for the future management of their business.

And the system currently being trialed by Eastleigh was the clear favourite from the 7,000 responses to the survey.

Results were:

* Directly-elected mayor with cabinet - 27 per cent.

* Directly-elected mayor with cabinet - 27 per cent.

* Directly elected mayor with a council manager - 14 per cent.

* Council leader with a cabinet - 58 per cent.

* No preference - one per cent.

The survey was undertaken in response to Whitehall proposals to change local government in a bid to make councils more efficient, more in touch with the people they serve and more accountable.

Nine per cent of households in the borough responded to the "ask the people" exercise.

Council leader Keith House said: "This was an important opportunity for local people to have their say on how their council is managed. We made sure that everyone had a chance to tell us their views and we are delighted with this response. The results indicate overwhelming support for the council leader and cabinet option and endorse the approach the council is taking."

The authority will now consider the results of the consultation before taking a decision on which model of local government to adopt at a meeting on February 26. After reporting its decision to the government, the chosen structure could be implemented in May this year.