The council now has to convince the government of its case

About 400,000 people were asked their views on replacing the county's five district councils with one body - an idea favoured by the county council.

In the poll, 82% of respondents voted against the plan, with an estimated turnout of just under 200,000.

Somerset County Council said it rejected the findings of the poll by the five district councils.

"The fact remains that a two-tier system of government in Somerset is wasteful, costly and does not empower local people to control the destinies of their communities," a county council spokeswoman said.

It is now absolutely impossible for the county council to proceed with its plans Councillor Ken Maddock

"We remain confident that a unitary system is in the best interests of the county and remain confident that the government will continue to recognise the strength of our business case."

Alan Jones, chief executive of the council, later told BBC News the council could not reject the poll results, but the public may not have understood what it was they were voting for.

"It is not our job now to persuade the public," he added. "We need now to convince the government."

'Public support'

The poll was organised by the five district councils, who are against the idea of a unitary authority.

Their representative, Ken Maddock, leader of Mendip District Council, said: "It is now absolutely impossible for the county council to proceed with its plans.

"The government has made it crystal clear that unitary authorities can only proceed if they have broad public support."

The poll, which was not a referendum, was carried out by the Electoral Reform Services.